It seems that the Swachchh Bharat Abhiyaan has failed to change Delhi’s fate. Despite leading a high octane campaign, the BJP-ruled civic agencies have failed to even construct 20 per cent toilets on ground as a part of the drive. Officials in the corporation blame the guidelines of Swaahchh Bharat that asks the civic agencies to bear 80 per cent share of expenditure in construction of projects, and stated that the corporation is financially incapable to share the expenses.
Moreover, the Budget allocated for Swachchh Bharat mission has been lying unused.
While Rs 41.98 crore was allocated to East Municipal Corporation, South Municipal Corporation was released Rs 46.27 crore, and Rs 31.76 crore to SDMC under Swachchh Bharat. Officials in the three civic agencies claimed that they are unable to carry out construction as the Union Development Ministry’s guidelines for Swachh Bharat mission ask for 80 per cent share in expenses from agencies whereas the remaining 20 per cent are to be borne by Swachchh Bharat fund.
“There are technical issues due to which we cannot spend the funds under Swachh Bharat. East Municipal Corporation is already reeling under cash crunch. The guidelines state that we should give a share of money in construction which we cannot manage to bear,” said a senior official of East Municipal Corporation.
In the name of development, the civic agencies have only constructed 42 Community Toilet Complexes, 125 public toilets and 70 ladies toilets even as the Swachchh Bharat completes two years on August 15.
The corporations are yet to construct 42 toilets in North Municipal Corporation, 74 others in East Municipal Corporation and 201 private toilets yet to become a possibility.
As a part of Swachchh Bharat mission, the corporation was supposed to not only come up with Community Toilet Complexes, Individual House Hold Toilet and revamp the present toilets in a bid to do away with open defecation in the Capital.
In north municipal corporation, 30 lady toilets have been constructed whereas 4-5 toilets have been remodeled and tender for 42 toilets have been passed. In East, 74 seats of Community Toilet Complexes have been made while constructed for 42 more is underway. Similarly, 201 public toilets have been constructed while 126 are still under-construction.
Senior officials in the North Municipal Corporation said, “We have not been to spend any money on toilets as the guidelines has it that the agency has to invest 80 per cent and 20 per cent by Swachh Bharat fund. We don’t have 80 per cent to invest so how can we carry out constructions.”
leader of Opposition in North Municipal Corporation Mukesh Goel said, “They have no money to pay the salaries and they have not paid the beldars for about one to four years now. If they are not paid, how will the construction be doneIJ Swachchh Bharat is not on their mind right now.”