Most gram panchayats in Rajasthan are claiming to have become open defecation free by constructing toilets under the Swachh Bharat campaign. However, there are 17 lakh BPL and poor families in the state which are still waiting for the money from the government for construction of toilets. According to sources, the BPL families have not yet received Rs 240 crore due to the absence of geo-tagging.
Under the Swachh Bharat campaign, 89 lakh toilets have been constructed in Rajasthan. Out of which, 57 lakh BPL families including SC/ST, small and marginal farmers, disabled and families headed by women were to be given Rs 12,000 each for the construction of toilets, but 17 lakh families among them are yet to get the amount.
Zee Rajasthan team visited Khora Meena Gram Panchayat and inspected the conditions to ascertain the exact situation. The people expressed their displeasure and anger towards the government.
They informed that BPL families were forced to make toilets in their respective houses. They were told that if the toilets are not built, then their ration will be discontinued. Similar situation was seen in Kukas Gram Panchayat as well.
“The money of Gram Panchayats is stuck. The bank account has Rs 300 crore and the money can only be transferred after the completion of geo-tagging work. There are about 17 lakh families which have not yet received the amount for constructing toilets, but we will provide the amount soon,” Parag Choudhary, Deputy Director, SBM Rural.
As the government had made the construction of toilets compulsory, people have constructed toilets in their house by taking loans or using their pension, but they are still waiting for the money from the government.
No action despite minister’s instructions
According to information, Panchayati Raj Minister Rajendra Rathore had released amount of Rs 600 crore, after which Rs 300 crores are still lying unused in the bank accounts. Whereas Rathore had instructed officials to provide designated amount to all the eligible families by the last week of April, but no action has been taken despite the presence of money in the account.
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