The Hindu 20.11.2013
More public toilets to be handed over to community user groups
The Tiruchirapalli City Corporation is taking steps to
hand over more public toilets to community user groups for maintenance
as the model already implemented in the city has been successful, said
Corporation Commissioner V.P. Thandapani here on Tuesday.
Of
the 383 public toilets in the city, about 137 are being maintained by
community user groups facilitated and supported by voluntary
organisations such as Gramalaya, SCOPE, and SEVAI. The Alaigal women’s
group promoted by the Gramalaya was maintaining about 67 toilets and the
rest are being maintained by groups supported by SCOPE and SEVAI. The
Tiruchi model has been appreciated at the national level, Mr. Thandapani
said speaking at a meeting at the Corporation organised in connection
with the World Toilet Day on Tuesday.
Mr. Thandapani
said posters and pamphlets on the importance of usage and proper
maintenance of toilets were sent to all 76 Corporation and private
schools in the city. Schools were also asked to administer a pledge to
students affirming their commitment to the use and maintenance of
toilets on the occasion of World Toilets Day.
Mayor
A. Jaya, who presented prizes to 12 best performing women’s user groups
for maintenance of public toilets in the city, pointed out that Chief
Minister Jayalalithaa has taken up an initiative to make the State
open-defecation free by 2015. The civic body was working towards ridding
the city off open defecation.
Representatives of voluntary organisations and representatives women’s user groups attended the meeting.