Rohtas fails to become first ODF district in state

SASARAM:The Rohtas district administration move to become the first open defecation free (ODF) district in the state has suffered a setback following a ground-level assessment by the special branch.
Sources said that a 15-member special branch team conducted on the spot inquiry in all the 19 panchayats of Sasaram block beginning November 7 and submitted a report indicating several discrepancies in claims of the local administrative officials and the ground reality.The report of the special branch claimed that against a target of constructing 16,000 toilets, about 7,000 were only half constructed and work on around 10% was yet to begin. The report also revealed that despite construction of toilets in the block, 80% male members still preferred the open field to attend the nature’s call and left it for women members of the house, said a source.
Talking to TOI on the inquiry by the special branch, district magistrate Animesh Parasar said, “We have not been communicated anything about the special branch report. The district administration has left no stone unturned to make the programme a success.”
The DM further said, “Many agencies including representatives of the World Bank and NGOs have also conducted survey in the past and found 85% to 95 % scheme a success.”
On the special branch finding that many beneficiaries got payment under the government’s scheme, the DM said he will get the matter probed at the district-level also. According to special branch report, there are around 800 such beneficiaries who claimed government money for constructing toilets though they already had toilets in their houses.