Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The decision to raise the user fee for public toilets in Bhopal has triggered political backlash. Led by Congress corporator Yogendra Singh Chauhan (Guddu), party leaders staged a protest outside the Sulabh Complex in Shivaji Nagar on Friday.
The controversy erupted when, at a recent Mayor-in-Council (MiC) meeting, Sulabh International's proposal to increase the public toilet fee from Rs 6 to Rs 10 at 25 locations was approved. While the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials defended the hike as a minor adjustment, the Congress took strong objection.
Criticising the decision, Chauhan pointed out that while subsidised meals are available in Deendayal kitchens for just Rs 5, toilet usage is more expensive. The hike could derail cleanliness efforts, as many may avoid using paid facilities and resort to open defecation, he warned.
The party is set on protesting against the hike. “We will strongly oppose this in the coming BMC meeting on July 24,” they said.
Mayor Malti Rai and MiC member RK Singh Baghel defended the hike, stating that the fee had remained Rs 6 for years and that the increase would solve issues related to providing change. “This is not worth protesting,” Baghel said.
