New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) The use of toilets should be a "lifestyle" choice for all, especially the poor, Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Monday.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 'World Toilet Congress' here, Naidu proposed: "Making use of toilets as a lifestyle choice by all, and particularly the poor as part of achieving total sanitation in the country."
He elaborated on a three-pronged strategy of promoting awareness about the need for cleanliness, ensuring necessary infrastructure and resorting to penal measures to ensure total sanitation in the country, an official statement said.
Naidu said that at present, none of the 7,135 cities and towns in India qualify to be a "green city" in terms of sanitation.
Only three cities - Chandigarh, Surat and Mysore - and the New Delhi Municipal Council area scored 66 as against 90 required for being a green city.
He said a fresh ranking of cities based on sanitation conditions would be completed by March.
The minister lamented that $54 billion worth of Gross Domestic Product of the country was being lost every year on account of inadequate sanitation.
He also said 13 percent of people in urban areas defecated in the open.
Day 12 of the attack on Ukraine: PM Modi can talk to Zelensky on the phone; Message from the Ukrainian President - may be seeing me alive for the last time
Today is the 12th day of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. In this war that started on 24 February, now the lives of the common people of Ukraine are also being lost. Due to this, the
Containment zone declared, 4 colonies sealed
Two days ago, after 3 people found corona positive in Vidya Nagar, the district administration has swung into action and sealed all these, including Vidya Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Vikas Nagar and Nai Basti
PM Modi Rakhi-Sister: His Pakistani sister will meet PM Modi for Rakshabandhan, said - I have prepared my own Rakhi
There is often news of tension between India and Pakistan, but very rarely when it comes to love between the two countries. But this time on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, love will be seen between
Karnataka: 'People will elect BJP full of enthusiasm, not tired Congress', PM said in Belagavi and Vijaypur meetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed election meetings in Humunabad, Belagavi, and Vijayapura in Karnataka. Addressing an election rally in Belagavi, the PM said, "The mantra of
IND vs AUS: Who did Ravi Shastri award the Fielder of the Match medal to? The video of the Indian team's dressing room is making a splash.
The Indian team defeated Australia by 4 wickets in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the victory in this match, Team India booked a ticket to the final of the Champions
Rahul Gandhi's target, said- Central government destructive vaccine strategies will ensure the third wave
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has again targeted the Modi government concerning vaccination. He said that the disastrous vaccine strategy of the Modi government will ensure the third wave.
Injured pacer Ishant ruled out of World Cup
Mumbai, Feb 7 (IANS) India pacer Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the 2015 World Cup due to a knee injury.He is expected to return to India next week.Seamer Mohit Sharma, who is currently with
Bill and Melinda Gates thank India for Padma Bhushan
New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) Philanthropist couple Bill and Melinda Gates Wednesday thanked the Indian government for naming them for Padma Bhushan, one of the country's top civilian honours, saying
Mission 2024: Telangana CM KCR on Bihar tour, will meet CM Nitish to discuss national agenda
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao today left for Bihar's capital Patna to provide financial assistance to the families of Indian soldiers who were martyred in the Galwan Valley in 2020.
Bhaiyyu Maharaj Suicide Case: Court gave its verdict in the Bhaiyyu Maharaj suicide case, all of them considered guilty
After hearing about three and a half years in the Bhaiyyu Maharaj suicide case, which was famous across the country, the final verdict came on Friday. The sevadars who were more than family to Bhaiyyu