Telangana: Build toilets or face power and water cuts, say officials for Open Defecation project

KHAMMAM: ‘No toilet, no electricity’ is the new mantra of Khammam district officials to make villages open defecation free (ODF). In their eagerness to declare the district ODF, the administration has disconnected power and water supply to 32 houses in Rajeswarapuram village of Nelakondapalli mandal in Khammam district,  for not constructing toilets. Similarly, they also stopped drinking water supply to some households in Komatlagudem and Bopparam villages and issued notices to villagers of Timmenenipalem, threatening same action against them, if they fail to construct Individual Sanitary Latrines (ISLs).

According to officials, the government had earlier sanctioned about 2,500 toilets to each mandal in the district under Swaccha Grameena Mission. They have set a deadline to complete the works by November 14.To reach the targets, the district officials have been exerting pressure on mandal officers,  who in turn, are threatening people by stopping power supply. Officials are also threatening them with stopping pension and other benefits.

The government has sanctioned Rs 12,000 for each household for building toilets. It gave three options to them. The beneficiary should construct toilets and government will pay the amount. The second option is, government constructs toilet but beneficiary completed foundation work. The third option is, beneficiary completes foundation work and officials supply material. Extension officer of Panchayatraj and rural development T Prabhakar Rao said, “Despite creating awareness, some people are not constructing toilets. Ration and pensions would also be stopped if they fail to start the construction works.”