Stating that Goa is falling behind other States when it comes to declaring the State as Open Defecation Free (ODF), Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appealed to the civic body chiefs, councillors, sarpanchas and panch member to cooperate with the government in declaring Goa as ODF free before August 31. While making the appeal, he pointed out that the government had procured mobile bio-toilets, which should reach the members of the public who do not have toilet facilities 
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Sawant was speaking at Rajiv Kala Mandir, Ponda on Wednesday while distributing financial relief to the flood affected victims. He emphasised that urgent relief has been provided to banana plantation farmers, whose crops were destroyed, as they felt it was necessary that these farmers receive compensation before Ganesh Chaturthi. He added that other flood affected farmers with different crops will be provided relief after the festival. 
Besides the banana plantation farmers, people whose houses had collapsed or suffered damage during the heavy rains were also provided relief ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1.10 lakh. Sawant added that the government has provided a minimum of Rs 10,000 as financial assistance to those whose crops were destroyed.