The Hindu        17.03.2011

More funds for toilet complexes

Taking cognisance of the poor state of most of the nearly 2,000 community toilet complexes across Delhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has directed taking up of major repairs in all of them, direct funding for their functioning and their expeditious connection with sewer lines.

At a meeting with the Delhi Assembly's Environment Committee earlier this week, the Chief Minister said all measures should be taken to improve functioning of these public toilets.

Committee chairman Hari Shanker Guptasaid both the MCD and the DUSIB should be allowed to maintain the toilet complexes under them.

MCD Commissioner K. S. Mehra said the complexes under the care of an NGO in three zones of the MCD were not being maintained properly and so there was a need to bring them under the direct control of the civic body.

Agreeing to the proposal, the Chief Minister said steps should be taken to repair and improve all the toilet complexes, including those being maintained by the NGO.

When Mr. Gupta pointed out that Rs.170 crore is given by the Delhi Government to the MCD annually for sanitation works but the heads are not specified, Ms. Dikshit said this would be done from now to ensure that money is spent on the projects it is meant for.