Experts rebuff govt's defecation free' claim
Union and state government have spent Rs 4,500 crore on this mission.
Mumbai: After constructing 60.41 lakh toilets in a record 3.5 years across the state, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Maharashtra as an open defecation free (ODF) state. Union and state government have spent
Rs 4,500 crore on this mission and no other state in the country has done such huge work in a short period, claimed Fadnavis. However, activists have questioned the claims made by the government. Water shortage and drought situation in thousands of villages is the major hurdle for ODF.
CM Fadvavis declared the state ODF in presence of rural development minister Pankaja Munde and water and sanitation minister Babanrao Lonikar .The government has provided 2.81 lakh community toilets. Though cities like Mumbai declared ODF, thousands of people find in open defecation. While answering on this issue, CM Fadnavis said that, “We have provided people access to the toilets. ‘Morning guard teams’ formed in many villages and children are also participating in the awareness programs. These teams blow whistle or gives flowers to the people who went for open defecation.”
Meanwhile, water scarcity and drought in thousands of villages is the major challenge before ODF task. Ganpat Bhise, President of Lalsena working in Marathwada slammed the government alleging that constructions of toilets are for contractors and companies benefits. No one using these toilets, as they are getting tanker water after eight to ten days which is very inadequate, Bhise asserted.
Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant slammed the government and said that, people know how CM Fadnavis led government announcements turns futile afterwards. Mumbai announced ODF city, but we find thousands of people are in open defecation along with railway tracks and roads. So people know how government’s claims are, told Sawant.