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MCD to allow free use of toilets

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI DEC. 17. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will allow people free use of its toilets and other public utilities constructed under the Yamuna Action Plan. The Corporation has also decided to take over the maintenance work of these toilet blocks and end all the lease given to non-governmental organisations and other parties.

The MCD Standing Committee Chairman, Ram Babu Sharma, who chaired his last meeting as the Committee head today, made this announcement. He also directed the Municipal Commissioner, Rakesh Mehta, to construct ramps for disabled all over the Capital, ensure proper implementation of all the schemes meant for students studying in the municipal schools and frame ad hoc policies for health and general licensing to benefit small shop-owners.

Mr. Sharma, who is likely to take oath as a Member of Delhi's Legislative Assembly within a couple of days, also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged bungling and other corrupt practices related to this multi-crore toilet blocks project funded by a Japanese agency. "Around 900 toilet blocks were constructed all over the Capital, particularly in slum areas and unauthorised colonies, by spending over Rs.100 crores. But latest reports states that around 50 per cent of them are non-functional while no revenue is being generated from half of the toilets that were functional," he said.

Stating that all lease given to people to operate these toilet blocks would be immediately ended, Mr. Sharma said providing public utility services was the Corporation's obligatory duty and they could not shirk their responsibility.

"Our policy has faltered. We will have to plan it again and make special budgetary provisions to run these toilets. Whatever extra financial assistance is required to run these toilets would be requested to the Delhi Government," he said.

Mr. Sharma also asked Mr. Mehta to construct ramps in markets, offices and other public places, particularly those owned by the Corporation, to facilitate disabled people. "Since there is already provision in the budget for this, it will cost no additional financial burden to the civic body."

He also asked that the Corporation to be very cautious while dealing with cases of giving jobs on compensatory grounds and ensure that families who lose their only bread-owner and have no major member should be given priority.

Announcing schemes for kids studying in MCD schools, he asked the Municipal Commissioner to ensure that all those schemes that attract poor kids to schools like mid-day meal scheme and distribution of uniforms were implemented properly. He also announced launch of a couple of schemes for school children and stated that no financial constraint would be allowed to hamper smooth implementation of these schemes.

The Standing Committee Chairman also asked for framing of an ad hoc policy for health and general licensing within a month and all objections raised against it should be taken as dissent and necessary amendments made accordingly.

"The new policy should be framed keeping in mind the interest and welfare of small shop-owners who are running their business in various colonies. This will not only raise MCD's revenue collections but will end inspector raj and unnecessary harassment of small shop-owners," he added.

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• Ministers fight it out for room with a view
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• MCD to allow free use of toilets
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