Union Minister of Rural Development Dr.C.P.Joshi emphasized the need to address the issues of access and quality of sanitation facilities in rural areas across the country. He has also underlined the need to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), integration with other programs and spread public awareness about the advantages of a clean, hygienic and healthy environment for a better tomorrow. Dr. Joshi was addressing the inaugural session of the All India Conference of State Ministers in charge of Sanitation at Vigyan Bhawan today. He said that there is an urgent need to come forward with measures for effective implementation of the program in states which are lagging behind the national average. Dr. Joshi called upon the participants to discuss ways and means to ensure that the access of sanitation reaches out to the lowest strata of society. The Minister called upon the participants to consolidate the gains under the program and learn and share from the best practices in sanitation.