On Karva Chauth, district official asks men in Sambhal to gift toilets to wives

NEW DELHI: It is going to be a different Karva Chauth for the women in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district this year. The district development committee has asked men in the district to gift a toilet to their wives.

"This is just another step by the administration to ensure that Sambhal becomes open defecation free. For this men have to get registered as head of the family or husband with the village committee," Prem Prakash Tripathi, the chief development officer (CDO) of Sambhal, said.

To further incentivize youths, the administration declared to rewards those who construct loos by October 11.

"The purpose behind the tight deadline is to encourage youngsters to speed-up the toilet construction process. The toilets will be constructed by the registered men with their own resources," Tripathi said, adding,"Only those who have submitted documents of the same by or before October 15 will only be rewarded."

The CDO said the construction of toilets will be checked and verified by a team of officials.

Meanwhile, the administration's initiative was welcomed by both men and women folk of the district.

"I have decided to build a toilet at my house so that my wife doesn't have to go out in groups to answer nature's call. And I'll do it as soon as possible," said Rakesh Kumar from Chandausi. His wife Anita said, "I had been wanting to tell my family about the need for a toilet at home, but could not gather the courage to do so. I admire my husband for taking this initiative."