Is Rural Maharashtra Really Open Defecation-Free? Activists cry Foul Over CM Fadnavis's Claim
He mentioned that over 60 lakhs toilets have been constructed in the state in the last 3 years. But knowing the existing situation in the state, activists are not convinced.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a statement about the sanitation facilities in the state. He declared that the rural Maharashtra as Open Defecation Free (ODF). He applauded and appreciated the efforts of the Rural Minister, along with the Water and Sanitation Minister, who helped in construction of toilets. He mentioned that over 60 lakhs toilets have been constructed in the state in the last 3 years. But knowing the existing situation in the state, activists are not convinced.
Chembur-based Rajkumar Sharma from the Advanced Locality Management and Networking Action Committee was quoted to a report in Times of India, “By making such incorrect statements, are we trying to convince the rest of the world? Because here in the state everyone is aware of the reality that the city is not open defecation-free." He even questioned if there will be no more construction then of toilets.
This is not the first time such claims have been made. The Quality Council of India had declared Mumbai open defecation-free during 2017. Activists had called out to these claims even before. Bollywood celebrities too had joined in on social media to show the actual state prevalent in the city. Still many families are without toilets in the rural parts. The CM's claims of the givernment building the highest number of toilets in the country before deadline are only gratifying to himself. He said that under the Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan the work has been completed by utilizing Rs 4.50 crore funds both from State and the Centre.
While Fadnavis supported his statements with some data, activist Godfrey Pimenta asked on what basis such statements were made. “When driving out of the city limits, we still see people defecating in the open. On what basis does one declare Mumbai is open defecation free,” she asks. While the toilets may have been made there is also a question about the condition of these. Many people avoid using the toilets in the city because they are not maintained well. At a time when people in the city itself resort to open defecation it is obvious to question the reliability and basis of the statement.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 19, 2018 10:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).