In order to create a momentum to bring about a sanitary revolution in the State, this Government launched “Clean Village Campaign” in 2003.  The Clean Village Campaign encompassed all activities taken up in the village for environmental sanitation.

11.1 Objectives of the Clean Village Campaign are

• To create more awareness to the community on the adverse consequences of open defecation practices.
• To recognize the special needs of different categories of people and promote sanitation needs of specific groups like children, women, adolescents, aged people, disabled, etc.
• To promote environmental sanitation in all institutions like Anganwadis, Schools, public places, etc.
• To develop and promote technology options for different geographic locations and conditions of water availability, depth of water table, etc.
• To promote hygienic behaviour through change in knowledge-attitude practices and skills for improving environmental sanitation.
• To empower the community and local governments in planning and implementation, strengthening their managerial capacity and responsibility on all aspects of environmental sanitation.
• To enable net-working, coordination and better convergence of various agencies and groups working in this sector with a view to optimize efficiency in implementation and ensuring sustainability of systems.

          The strategy is focused on mobilizing the community through intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities with the involvement of Village Panchayats and various other departments. 

11.2 The components of Clean Village Campaign are

• Eliminating the practice of open defecation
• Water conservation and waste water  re-use
• Solid waste management
• Night soil based Biogas plant

          The Village Panchayats with 100% sanitation coverage in individual households, schools and Anganwadis were free from open defecation with clean environment through solid waste management and water conservation and also had provision of rain water harvesting in all the houses, were eligible to be nominated for a cash award of Rs.5.00 lakh by the State.  The Government disbursed awards every year to 15 such Village Panchayats as a “Cash and Recognition Incentive”.

          Clean Village Campaign which was shelved by the previous Government was revived and re-introduced by this Government during 2011-12 with an allocation of Rs.1.55 crore for giving cash award of Rs.5 lakh for 31 selected Village Panchayats, at the rate of one Village Panchayat from each district.

          For the year 2011-12, proposals were received from all the 31 District Collectors who have recommended 91 Village Panchayats for the Award. These proposals have been scrutinized and 31 Village Panchayats, one Village Panchayat from each district, have been selected for the Award by the Government.  Similar exercise is being carried out for 2012-13 also.

         This scheme will continue in 2013-14 with an allocation of Rs.1.55 crore.