Panjim: Nearly 12 percent of the total identified beneficiaries under the Open Defecation Free (ODF) scheme have submitted their applications for requirement of bio-digester toilets. The response seems to be quite satisfactory considering only six days’ time was granted for them to apply. 

Directorate of Panchayat has decided to grant another 30 day for those eligible under ODF scheme, to stake their claim. 

In a bid to fasten the process to make Goa Open Defecation Free (ODF) State, Directorate of Panchayat had invited applications from the identified beneficiaries between February 7-12. Total 6,703 applications have been received by the department along with total amount of Rs 2.26 crore from the user. 

 Government has identified total 52,338 beneficiaries for the scheme through a State level survey conducted through Rural Development Agency (RDA). 

The limited time period was granted as the implementing agency- Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation (GSWMC) wanted data and locations to install the toilets, before issuing work order, which they are likely to do by this month end. 

Speaking to HERALD, Swacch Bharat Mission director Rajan Satardekar said that since the time limit was only six days, people could not come forward along with documents to submit the forms. “The beneficiaries are basically poor people and it will obviously take them time to produce the required documents. Though, we have distributed forms to all 52,000 odd beneficiaries, we could receive only 6700 applications,” he said. 

“People are still making submissions and we are accepting it. Mostly 30 days additional time will be granted,” he said. 

As per the available data, the maximum number of applications have come from Ponda taluka that is 2395, followed by Bardez 1148. The least number of applications are from Salcette 95 and Canacona 172.