After Jiribam, 'substandard' Swachh Bharat Mission toilets at Ukhrul come under village authority radar
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, September 03 2019: After 'substandard' toilets constructed under Swachh Baharat Mission came to light yesterday, Zingsui village Authority has strongly condemned the authorities concerned for poor implementation of the mission at Ukhrul.

Claiming that the toilets at Zingsui village under the noble mission of the Government of India are substandard, the village authority accused the authorities concerned of 'misappropriation of funds and irregularities'.

"The centrally sponsored scheme that awards Rs 12,000 to a beneficiary for construction of toilet to improve sanitation and eliminate open defecation was not implemented properly.

After Jiribam, 'substandard' Swachh Bharat Mission toilets at Ukhrul come under village authority radar

Rs 12,000 were partially paid and the toilets are substandard and not usable," said village secretary PS Ngaranmi during a press conference held at Ukhrul District Working Journalists (UDWJA) office at Viewland today.

According to Ngaranmi, the Swachh Bharat Mission (ODF) that constructs low cost toilets, implemented by PHED, Ukhrul is a 'total failure' in the village.

He claimed that the scheme awarded to 37 households of Zingsui village cost around Rs 4,44,000 lakh.

"The fund was released without conducting spot survey and Geo tagging of the toilets supposed to be monitored by PHED Ukhrul," he alleged.

The authorities concerned supplied one bag of cement, five tins of sand, 'low quality' GI sheets and Rs 6,000 to some beneficiaries for construction of toilets, he claimed.

"When the beneficiaries refuted, the work agency replied that it was the decision of the Water and Sanitation Committee and denied the actual benefits," he alleged.

Zingsui Sambu village had held a special discussion during yearly assembly and unanimously resolved to pursue and highlight the grievances regarding the scheme, he said urging higher authorities concerned to conduct immediate spot enquiry and verification of the toilets, and also hand over the remaining monetary assistance to the beneficiaries concerned at the earliest.

VAs KS James, PS Kanmi and village elders Ashok, Ningkham and Hopeson on behalf of village visited Ukhrul PHED to acquire the detail report on implementation of the work.

According to them, 170 households were included in the 'baseline survey conducted in 2011', while 182 households pay hill House tax to the Government.

Only 37 households were included as beneficiaries under the Swachh Bharat Mission, they said appealing authorities concerned for inclusion of more beneficiaries in the interest of the villagers.