Sasaram. When the scheme to build toilets was launched in 2014 by the Bihar government under the Lohia Sanitation Campaign. During this period people were made aware by going door to door. By forming a separate team, Anganwadi workers, assistants, Tola Sevaks and women of the group used to make people aware. As soon as the evening came, the whistle would start ringing. People used to get scared on hearing the sound of Bhiseel and it became difficult for people to go out for defecation even if they wanted to.
This plan completely failed on the ground
In this work, teachers were also deployed by Bihar Government at one time for monitoring, they used to patrol the colony in their respective tolas in the evening and many such unemployed youth also got involved and made people aware. Gradually, this campaign was seen on the ground in a year and in a hurry, the block was declared as ODIF by the District Magistrate in 2015 and it was changed to Rohtas block. But in Akbarpur till date the same process of constructing toilets, taking incentive money and having half-completed toilets continues. In such a situation, this plan of the government has completely failed on the ground.
The toilet became a store or a warehouse or collapsed.
If a poor person built a toilet, it was not considered appropriate to go inside it, and it became a store or a warehouse or collapsed. Crores of rupees were wasted by the government, but only 20% people are taking advantage of it and using it, and similar filth is seen spread in other places. Be it morning or evening, like before, men, women and children are going out and now there is no fear in their hearts or the sound of a seal or any government department to stop them. But if seen on paper, the process of getting toilets built has been done by selecting each person and they are also being given money as incentive.
Headlines
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The whistle no longer blows, fear is gone from people
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The officials got a lot of applause by declaring ODF in 2015 itself.
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The toilet is a home-made beauty item and someone else’s warehouse.
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The same filth all around again, now no one takes interest
people need to be aware
Rasoolpur Panchayat head Anuradha Devi said that it is absolutely true that people are still coming out in large numbers to defecate in the villages, despite the Lohia cleanliness campaign launched by the government. Most of the people have taken advantage of this and have also taken incentive amount. But it is regrettable to say that people are still coming out to defecate on the streets and are spreading filth. We all will have to be aware once again and form a team to make this government scheme successful.
Difficulty in making people aware
Rohtas Garh Panchayat head Nagendra Yadav said that people living in the forest become a habit and our panchayat extends from the foothills to the top of the mountain. Its area is spread over a very long distance, due to which it is very difficult to create awareness. But I would like everyone to be made aware that spreading filth outside causes harm to oneself and cleanliness is very important. As far as toilets are concerned, the number of toilets that have been prepared by the government is limited. Its amount is being given to the people in their accounts, and some people are still getting the money, which has not been received.
It is necessary for every person to have a toilet in his house.
Block Sanitation Officer Upadhyay ji said that under the government scheme which is being run from 2014 till now, it is necessary for every person to have a toilet in their house. And after doing a survey, we get toilets constructed for everyone and incentive money is given to them. 1160 toilets were selected in 2022-23 and 240 are yet to be built. People have been paid according to the incentive amount.
At a glance:- Toilet construction in 2022/23
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Total :- 1160
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Complete :- 821
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Remaining :- 239
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Payment incentive amount:-725 beneficiaries
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total eight panchayats