The Hindu 27.09.2010
Awaiting government subsidy for toilets
R. Avadhani
LINGAMPALLY (MEDAK DISTRICT): A tiny village located in Munipally mandal, 3 km away from Mumbai National Highway, Lingampally has around 266 families, majority of them dependent on farming with 20 to 30 families doing other jobs. The village is being represented by S. Yadamma as sarpanch. Though she has an own house in the village, Ms. Yadamma spends most of her time with her son in the city.
Serious problem
Rukminamma is the village organisation (VO) leader representing about 168 self-help groups (SHG) members in the village. Her husband Govindu also came along with her to the panchayat office recently when there was a discussion about having toilets at their homes. Both the ladies know that not having toilet at home is a serious problem and they have to wait till dusk to attend to nature's call. A majority of the women complained that the family heads were not bothered much about the problems.
The government has been offering a subsidy of Rs. 2,750 on the construction of individual toilets. The argument being put forth by the villagers was why the government is not releasing the total required amount instead of half of it Though some of the villagers were ready to construct the toilet, they suspect the sincerity of the government in releasing the money. Many said that they can wait for some more time till the government releases money as ‘open defecation' is not at all an issue for them .
