Mormugao Mamlatdar office toilets show
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in poor light
Toilets are in such despicable condition that staff is forced to use pay toilets
the goan network
VASCO
While the nation celebrated 'World Toilet Day' on Thursday, the staff of Mormugao Mamlatdar's office was forced to use pay toilets, as the toilets allotted to them by Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) are in unhygienic condition.
The worst sufferers were the lady staff, while the males either used pay toilets or somehow managed in the allotted unhygienic MMC toilets.
Speaking to The Goan, a male staff said they had written to the council and PWD (building division) to clean and repair the toilets, but their request fell on deaf ears.
“Men can either go to pay toilets or use the same unhygienic toilets, but the problem is for the ladies who have to control themselves and ease themselves only when they reach home in the evening,” said a male staff working at the mamlatdar office.
A lady staff said they can't even use the washroom to wash their tiffin boxes, as the washroom is not cleaned and gives out a foul smell.
“The government and the council have been talking of Swachh Bharat and smart cities, but they cannot keep their own premises clean and hygienic,” said a lady staff.
When asked why they cannot employ a labourer and clean the toilets instead of waiting for the council or PWD to clean it, the staff said the toilets cannot be cleaned as the pipeline is blocked.
“While the council has its own toilets, which are maintained by their labourers, the offices of deputy collector, excise department and the civil supplies keep their toilets locked and used them as and when wanted,” said the staff.
When contacted, PWD (building department) assistant engineer A D Nagarchie said at the request of the Mormugao Mamlatdar, he had repaired the toilet door and had cleaned the toilet before the council election.
However, Mormugao Mamlatdar Laxmikant Desai refuted the claim made by Nagarchie that the toilet were cleaned and repaired during the council election.
“As we are paying rent to the council, it is the duty of the council to maintain the toilets,” said Desai.
When contacted, Mormugao Municipal Council Chairperson Deepak Naik said he was not aware of any such letter from the Mamlatdar's office to clean the toilets. “If there is any such letter and otherwise also, within the next two days, I will direct my labourers to clean the toilets,” said Naik.
