‘People need to realise necessity of toilets’
Taking money from govt not enough, says Muniyappa
Accepting money from the government for construction of toilets in homes is not enough. People in rural areas should also realise the necessity to maintain cleanliness for good health and safe environment, said K H Muniyappa.
The Union Minister of State for Railway was addressing a progress review meeting of the Central Government projects at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium on Friday.
He criticised the move of some residents of rural areas, ‘who purchase mobile handsets worth a few thousand rupees, but don’t bother to spend on construction of toilets.’ They continue to do so in spite of getting both support and money from the government, he added.
Shortages
“No doubt, there is lack of space in some houses, but among many people, it is a lack of will-power. Lack of awareness on the importance of having toilets is a third factor. Overall, however, construction of toilets- move towards cleaner villages- has taken a setback,” he rued.
Muniyappa said it was important for officers to spread awareness among residents of villages, and not just in cities. They should also use such awareness as a means to try out new plans to maintain hygiene. “If there is no space to build toilets within compounds of houses, public toilets should be constructed for specific families only,” he suggested.
Employment issues
The minister demanded information about the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). He asked how it was possible to get beneficiaries for the low paid jobs under the Scheme, when people preferred to take up jobs with much better returns.
He also questioned officers why the Central government was not informed that the pay under the MGNREGS was very low. “It is possible to improve the facilities under the MGNREGS following your suggestions,” he told the officers.
He was also informed about the work being carried out under projects like Indira Awas Yojana, Swarna Jayanti Grama Swaraj Yojana, for provision of water to rural areas and Prime Minister’s Rural Roads project, by the officers of the respective departments.
K P Bachegowda, legislator, Dr N Manjula, Deputy Commissioner, B S Shekharappa, Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer and Satish, ZP member, attended the review meeting.
