In the wake of Badaun gang-rape and murder case which has highlighted lack of sanitation facilities in Uttar Pradesh, the Union Water and Sanitation Ministry has asked the State Government to take a cue from Tamil Nadu to set up Women specific Integrated Community Sanitation Complex to prevent such crimes.
Noting that absence of toilets in the areas may have, at least, in part, contributed to the occurrence of such heinous crimes, Saraswati Prasad, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in a letter to the UP Government has said that constructing community sanitary complexes in such areas can be considered.
“Some States like Tamil Nadu have set up specific integrated Women’s Sanitary Complexes which are operated through Gram Panchyata/ Departmentally. The advantage of such system is that the same can be maintained institutionally and amenities like water and power supply can be ensured,” the official said.
In a bid to make villages in Tamil Nadu 100 per cent hygienic, the Tamil Nadu Government has been in the spree of setting up integrated sanitary complexes across the village Panchayats of the State in the last few years.The complex comprises six Indian style toilets, one western closet, baby friendly toilets and a bathroom. A committee maintains the complexes which have brought sort of revolution in the State.
The Centre has also asked the UP Government to speed up implementation of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) for which it has been providing assistance for construction of Individual Household latrines (IHHl) and community sanitary complexes. The Union Ministry has found that Badaun district, where the barbaric incident happened had achieved 74 per cent of construction target of 312082 IHHl.
“Further Uttar Pradesh has an available balance under NBA of Rs 293 crore with Badaun district having a balance of about Rs 1.04 crore. Adjoining districts also have sufficient funds available. The State has to identify difficult areas and cover these areas with IHHl on priority,” said the official in the letter.
Two Dalit teenage girls in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh, on their way were raped and killed after they had gone to the open fields at night to relieve themselves. According to reports, 54.28% of Indian households simply do not have toilet facilities. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of the Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement - a group that helps build low cost toilets across India - estimates the country needs about 120 million more latrines.