Shimla News
BDO will be responsible for maintenance of public toilets in villages: HP High Court
Report sought on how many toilets are closed, amicus curiae said – 526 crores not spent
Shimla – Himachal High Court issued instructions saying that now the responsibility of maintenance of public toilets in villages will be of Block Development Officer (BDO). While hearing the petition filed regarding the dilapidated condition of toilets, the High Court issued these instructions.
The division bench of Acting Chief Justice of High Court Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Satyen Vaidya said that BDO should take care of the condition of public toilets in their area. The division bench also ordered to file a report on cleanliness, maintenance, how many are closed and how many are not.
The government told the court that the money has been released to the panchayats
Amicus curiae Devan Khanna told the court that the 15th Finance Commission has given 800 crores to the state only for sanitization. Out of them, 526 crores have not been spent yet. He urged that a part of the fund be spent on toilets and solid waste. The government informed that the money has been released to the Gram Panchayats. The government has geo-tagged all the toilets above three thousand in the state.
Responsibility given to sanitary inspectors and councilors in cities
The responsibility of maintaining public toilets within the city has been given to sanitary inspectors and ward councilors. The court had issued instructions regarding this in its previous orders. At the same time, the court has also asked to improve the condition of the toilet in Sanjauli. Sulabh International has also been instructed to keep the toilets in the city clean.
