Mysuru: Revenue and District in-charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad, on Monday, declared 17 villages in the district as ‘open defecation free’.

Addressing the gathering during the 66th Republic Day celebrations, organised by the District Administration at Oval Grounds here, Prasad said, following the success of providing toilet facilities in the aforementioned villages under the Swach Bharat Abhiyan, efforts will be made to replicate the success model in the remaining villages in the district.

It includes individual toilets, school toilets, anganvadi toilets and community toilets.

Prasad, however, bemoaned that most of the programmes launched with the intention of eradicating poverty have failed, owing to the lack of interest among the executive, nonchalant administrative machinery and corruption. Though e-Governance has gained popularity, not many people are availing the benefits.

Though the country is a Republic and has ample manpower and advancements in the field of science and technology, it is still like a ‘Banana Republic’, thanks to the ineffective administration and also rampant corruption, said Prasad.

Delving on attempts made for transformation in the country, Prasad said: “Service-oriented politics is the need of the hour as the voters are more aware now. Ballot is stronger than bullet. Though the State and Central services exist in the current set up, the bureaucracy has no either commitment or devotion in service.

The executive should cooperate with the legislature in realising the principles of the Constitution. Both administrators and the public should abide by the law. Focus should be on enhancing skills of the youth and inculcate scientific thinking among them. A sense of patriotism should be developed among the people. India has all the chances of emerging as a super power in the 21st century”.