The district-level water and sanitation committee has given an ultimatum of one month for all taluk panchayat EOs to complete the works on 3,230 toilets in toiletless houses in the district.
In a meeting chaired by Meenakshi Shanthigodu, the ZP president who is also the president of district-level water and sanitation committee, toilets for toiletless households in the district were discussed at length.
A ZP official said that according to the social audit survey, 5,500 households do not have toilet facilities. After verifying the door number and ration cards, it was confirmed that 3,230 households do not have toilets in the district.
Taluk Panchayat EOs said that 1,421 houses in Mangaluru taluk, 770 in Puttur, 579 in Bantwal, 544 in Belthangady, and 507 houses in Sullia taluk do not have toilet facilities. The construction of 600 toilets is in the final stage.
Expressing displeasure at the delay in construction of toilets, ZP CEO Dr M R Ravi said that all the toiletless households should get toilets within a month. Funds under various projects can be utilised for the construction of toilets, Ravi said.
Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) officer said that a proposal recommending suspension of contract of Pan Asia Company, that has been entrusted with the responsibility to construct Shuddha drinking water units, has been submitted to KRIDL Chief Engineer. The officer said that the decision was taken as the work on Shuddha drinking water units has been moving at a snail's pace in the district. The proposal has also sought permission for inviting tenders at the district-level for implementation of Shuddha drinking water units, the officer said.
The issue of lack of space delaying the work on the construction of public toilets and sewage treatment plants was also discussed in the meeting.
ZP CEO said that a proposal to appoint an environment engineer to all the taluk panchayats has been submitted to the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. An appeal has also been made to recruit health inspectors as well.
Bio-bins
The ZP CEO said that the ZP is planning to use bio bins for collection and disposal of solid waste in rural areas. Discussions are being held with suppliers of bio bins and a decision will be taken shortly, the CEO said.
Bio-bins will have two bins, one for dumping biodegradable waste and another for dry waste. The degradable waste will be converted to manure. Initially, it has been planned to place such bins in apartments in rural areas.
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