Kerala to be declared open defecation-free state in November

Thiruvananthapuram, July 8  Kerala will be declared an open defecation-free state on November 1 this year, state Finance Minister Thomas Issac said on Friday.

November 1 is celebrated as Kerala Piravi (formation) Day every year as Kerala came into being on this day in 1956.

Presenting the first budget of the new Pinarayi Vijayan-led Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) government, Issac said they aim to make Kerala the cleanest state in the country.

"We will be declaring Kerala an open defecation-free state on November 1 and for that all homes in Kerala which do not have a toilet will be provided one with the local self-government (bodies) stepping in for that," said Issac while presenting the "alteration memorandum" of the state budget.

Vijayan assumed office on May 25 this year and Issac returned as the Finance Minister, a post that he held when V.S. Achuthanandan ruled the state during 2006-11.