Not just cricketers, toilets for office-going women too: Lokayukta

Mumbai: The Lokayukta on Thursday expanded the scope of his earlier order regarding facilities at Oval and similar maidans for women cricketers. Justice (Retd) V M Kanade, the Lokayukta, stated that a Special Inquiry Team (SIT) should be set up by the next chief minister of Maharashtra after the impending state assembly elections to also address the urgent need for facilities for office-going women in the city.
He mentioned that he found a lack of toilet facilities for women throughout the city. His order stated, "That is another area" that the state and BMC need to address. "In all developed countries, such as Japan, France, and Europe, such facilities are available every 200 metres, and paid toilets are made available for women who go to work," said Justice Kanade.
The Lokayukta undertook a suo motu inquiry last month following a TOI article dated Sep 22, on the Oval Maidan. He observed that earlier, providing facilities for women in sports was not envisaged due to their lack of participation.
The issue is not limited to Oval or Azad Maidan alone but applies to all grounds statewide.
The SIT, to be constituted within four weeks post-election, should have the GAD principal secretary as chief. The next hearing before the Lokayukta is scheduled for Dec 19.