Union Rural Development and Sanitation Minister Jairam Ramesh has assured to end open defecation in India in the next five years.

Speaking to media persons at Imphal today, he said that although the practice of open defecation is very rare in Manipur, fixed open defecation is a common practice.

He further said that out of 160 gram panchayats in the state only two are nirmal gram panchayats. He said that Manipur will become a nirmal rajya within five years.

The Rural Development Minister said that all the 1004 rural habitations in Manipur with a population of more than 250 will be connected by all weather roads within three years.

He also assured that all the headquarters of the rural community development blocks in the state will be provided banking facility and internet connectivity at the earliest possible.