World Toilet Day was observed on November 19. The day highlights the importance of toilets in our day-to-day lives and tends to eliminate open defecation on a permanent basis.
During recent years, the State government has been repeatedly stressing the need to discourage open defecation in the State. However, the concerned authorities do not tackle this important matter with the seriousness it deserves. As a matter of fact, many of the rented rooms hired by migrant labourers do not possess the much needed toilet facility. Ultimately, the labourers have no other alternative but to indulge in open defecation at the adjoining hills/open areas.
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In rural areas, the village panchayats are found overlooking this sensitive matter. As a result, the practice continues with great ease. The Directorate of Panchayats as a competent authority needs to issue necessary circular to the village panchayats in the State in this regard.
Further, many of the construction sites in major cities and towns do not possess toilets for the workers working on regular basis. Hence, we notice them visiting the nearby hills with plastic water bottles for open defecation.
I wonder, whether the officials of the Health Department or the concerned municipality conduct any inspection at the construction sites to get acquainted with the existing situation from time to time. It is the need of the hour for the authorities to consider this particular aspect quite seriously so that normalcy is achieved at the earliest.
Unless and until the matter is dealt with a firm hand, it will be extremely difficult to achieve open defecation free Goa in the near future. Indeed, the Health Department, municipalities and village panchayats at the respective jurisdictions should be on their toes to achieve the desired favourable results at all costs. Of course, open defecation in the State should end on a permanent basis.
