Maharashtra puts sanitation drive in overdrive

After dismissing more than 1,000 gram panchyat members in Solapur district for not having toilet blocks at home, the state government is to take punitive action against government servants whose homes lack  toilet blocks.

This was announced by minister of sanitation and water supply, Laxman Dhobale, in Pune on Monday. As per a government regulation (GR) of 2002, incentives for government servants whose homes lack toilet blocks can be withheld, but to date no such action has been initiated.

Dhobale said, “We have asked the district collectors to take action against such government servants. The aim of such punitive action is to spread the message of sanitation across the state.”

The minister also said the department of water supply and sanitation has put forth a proposal before the cabinet asking for special reservations for toilet blocks in villages and cities in the development plans.

The state government will be using the opportunity of the ensuing Dehu-Alandi-Pandharpur wari, to spread the message of proper sanitation. Sixteen special troupes will be accompanying the devotees and talking about the importance of sanitation. 

 Also, the state government will be taking special measures to address the issue of sanitation and cleanliness during the wari. Twenty mobile toilet blocks, acquired at a cost of Rs2 crore, are accompanying the wari this year.

Dhobale said these blocks will be used in western Maharashtra after the wari.   The use of mobile toilet vans could become a permanent feature, going by the success of this year’s drive.