Keeping in view the need of providing safety to the women in the markets, the hotel and restaurant owners have decided to allow women and children to access their toilets for free from March 24. The decision came after the members of the association met the top brass of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Wednesday. This will be however, reviewed on 1st May, 2017 to understand the concerns and the practical difficulties faced by the hotels and restaurants during this period and also to explore the possibilities for further increasing the scope of this initiative.
A senior official of SDMC in a meeting with representatives of the ‘National Restaurants Association of India’, ‘Hotels and Restaurants Association of Northern India’, and ‘Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India’ conveyed them that the decision has been taken to share the responsibilities as women’s safety as it is of paramount concern to all stake holders.
The Corporation officials also apprised them of the action being taken to increase the number of public toilets especially in markets in order to provide facility to the citizens including women and children as they expect protection as well as co-operation from the administration and the owners of the establishments possessing health trade license. The officers also made them to understand that the implementation of the decision is not going to infringe their business interests.
“The hotel and restaurant owners while appreciating the move of the SDMC agreed to render all constructive co-operations in implementing the decision. They have agreed for allowing free usage of their washrooms for women and children. The owners however will have limited discretion on security concerns. This will also help SDMC in improving its ranking in respect of Swachhch Bharat Mission,” he added.
It may be recalled that l-G advised SDMC to explore the possibility of making toilets in restaurants and hotels for use of general public. Acting on the advice of the l-G, SDMC instructed all hotels and restaurants located in the South DMC to give full access to the general public especially women and children to these toilets.