Though the State Government has directed all the districts to construct toilets in every school by setting a deadline, Kendrapada district has cut a sorry figure in the matter.
The scheme was meant to provide better health for students and ensure improved school attendance and reduction in school drop outs. But there are hundreds of toilets which are yet to be completed in the schools in the district here despite extension of deadline twice.
If official sources are to be believed , the Sarva Sikhsa Abhijan(SSA) of the district had targeted in 2003-2004 year to construct 2,204 boys /common toilets and girls toilets in 1,756 schools. But till date 1,593 toilets have been constructed whereas 411 toilets works are going on.
Out of 2,204 toilets, the SSA targeted to construct 750 boys /common toilets in the district. But till date, the SSA managed to complete 597 boys/common toilets in the schools. 153 boys/common toilets construction work is yet to be started. Similarly, out of 1,254 girl toilets, the SSA managed to complete 996 girls’ toilets till date whereas 258 girls’ toilets construction works are under progress, informed Sub Collector-cum-in-charge DPC of SSA Kanhu Charan Dhir.
As many as 1,129 toilets were directly undertaken by the PSUs and they have completed the targeted toilets provided to them, said official sources. The PSUs provided funds to the SSA for constructing 190 toilets and the works also have been completed. Notably, out of 190 toilets, the Coal India limited (CIl) provided funds to SSA for constructing 82 toilets whereas ONGC provided funds to the SSA for constructing 108 toilets, stated official sources.
Though earlier, the State Government provided a deadline to complete the school toilets in the district before August 15, but as the district administration failed to complete the work the deadline was extended to September 19 and again to October 2. But still 411 toilets construction works are yet to be completed.