Team Herald
PONDA: While hundreds of youth, arrived in Ponda for the army recruitment interviews at the military camp on Sunday, they had to spend the nights out in the open, on the footpaths.
They were also found to be defecating in the open, which annoyed local residents, who have demanded that they should have been provided with bio-toilets.
One of the applicants from a neighbouring State, felt that the government should have provided them with a bath and toilet facility given that they were staying overnight and pointed out that in other parts of India, there are accommodation facilities as well. The locals pointed out that the authorities were aware that these youth, aged 17-25 would be arriving from across the country and arrangements should have been made in advance.
They added that these drives take place annually at the military camp in Ponda and goes on for two to four days and that the youth arrive a day before the interview.
“They stay in Ponda town as the camp is nearby. In the day, we don’t allow them to sleep on the footpaths near residential areas but at night, they are left with no option and come back to our area. The next morning we have to bear the stench caused by their open defecation in open areas. This happens every year,” said a local.
In view of the criticism received, especially given the government had declared the State as ODF-Free, Ponda Municipal Council Chairperson Venkatesh Naik, said that the government will arrange bio-toilets and other safety measures for the ‘future jawans of the country’.
“I had asked the military officials to approach the Waste Control Management Board to provide them with Bio-toilets,” he added.
