THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Sancoale Panchayat has finally decided to clear the outstanding bill of Rs 1.7 crore pertaining to the Sulabh Souchalaya toilets.
Speaking to reporters, Sancoale Sarpanch Ramakant Borkar also warned that strict action would be taken against those indulging in open defecation and those renting out rooms to migrants without police verification.
"The issue of toilet bills has finally been taken up now and outstanding bills of around Rs 1.7 crore will be cleared. The bill will be cleared through the OTS scheme.”
“All this time, there was a discussion between the panchayat and Sulabh Souchalaya representatives regarding the payment of bills. While the Souchalaya representatives said they were only maintaining the toilet, we informed them that they were also collecting revenue and yet, the bill was not cleared.”
“After much delay, the final outstanding amount reached Rs 1.7 crore and we finally decided to clear the amount," said Borkar.
"After we clear the pending bills and the toilet becomes functional, we will ensure that no person will be allowed to defecate in the open. We have written to the police to initiate strict action and levy hefty fines to people who defecate in the open.”
“I also appeal to all panch members to unite in this cause. As long as people are not fined, these people will not change and continue to defecate on the open," Borkar added.
The sarpanch said the recent murder case in Velsao had shown that many people lease rooms to migrants without completing their police verification.
"The accused in the recent murder were from Assam but were living in Zuarinagar and there was no proper verification done. We have asked the police to act on such people who let out rooms to migrant without tenant verification.”
“The police has assured to take strict action against such people. We will also verify whether people who let out rooms on rent have toilet facilities available," said Borkar.
