Sarpanchs wake up to toilet whip

PUNE: In a move that has sent jitters among the rural politicians, the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) has slapped notices on 154 sarpanchs for not constructing toilets at their homes. Immediately after they getting the notices, 72 of them have got into action and started constructing the toilets while other have sought more time.
The ZP has initiated the step in the backdrop of the state government's decision to promulgate a law which will disqualify a candidate contesting any election if he/she does not have a toilet at home.
Pune ZP chief executive officer Shyam Wardhane, CEO Pune Zilla Parishad told TOI on Monday that of the total 1,401 sarpanchs in the district as many as 154 don't have a toilet at home. "This is for the first time in the history of Pune ZP that notices have been issued to sarpanchs asking them as to why they should not be dismissed under the Mumbai gram panchyat act 1958, section of 39 and 45. This act categorically states that the sarpanchs should have basic facilities like toilet and should lead with an example," said Wardhane.
ZP deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sanjay Maskar told TOI on Monday, "Since last year the ZP authorities visited various talukas to promote cleanliness in rural areas under the Sant Gadge Baba cleanliness campaign."
Among all 13 talukas in the district, Khed has 37 sarpanchs who don't have toilet while in Baramati only one sarpanch was found lacking. Daund which has 79 GPs is the only taluka in Pune where every sarpanch has toilet facility at home.
Wardhane said that after receiving the notices most of the sarpanchs responded positively and some have asked authorities to give them some time. "We will again issue notices to those who don't fall in line and even if they fail to respond positively, we will initiate action under Mumbai GP Act 1958," he said.