Union Rural Development Minister Mr. Jai Ram Ramesh has promised that whole country will become 'clean ' by 2022. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh today he said that Sikkim is the first state which has got the status of a nirmal state and Kerala will be second such state by next year.Minister discussed drinking water facilities and sanitation programme today in Chandigarh with the representatives of Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. He said that for total sanitation besides providing toilets there is also a need to change the mindset of people to stop open defacation. Minister said that with total sanitation health problems will be solved.

Mr. Jairam Ramesh said that Punjab is the only state where Uranium content has been found in the underground water while its causes are not yet known and Centre Government is providing assistance to the state to tackle this problem. Minister announced that a labortary will be set up in Mohali near Chandigarh to suggest mesures to treat Uranium contaminated water in Malwa region of Punjab. This labortary will start functioning with in 6 to 8 months and Centre Government will provide rupees 4 crore for this labortary. Minister promised that centre will provide all possible assistance to punjab with the help of scientists of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre. It may be mentioned that recently Uranium was found in half of the 2400 water samples filled in Punjab.