Pilot slams govt claims on declaring Rajasthan villages ODF

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot today questioned the Centre's claims in declaring panchayats and villages open defecation free (ODF), saying poor and helpless people are being threatened in the name of constructing toilets.
He said innocent villagers are being booked under IPC sections, their rations are being stopped and they are forced to take loans from open market to construct toilets.
"To take credit in declaring villages ODF, government is strangulating poor people. Several villages have been declared ODF, however, the groundwork is far from the picture being presented by the government," Pilot said in a press conference here on Panchayati Raj Day.

He said Congress party workers had visited 40 villages of 11 districts and took 1,070 families on record.
"We support the movement and want that people get aware about cleanliness but despite crores of rupees being spent under the scheme, its benefits are far from reaching the villages. In Ajmer alone, 90,000 people constructed toilets but have not received Rs 12,000 compensation provided under the scheme. Actual cost of constructing toilet is above Rs 20,000," he added.
Pilot said that those working under the pressure of the government will face strict action, if Congress comes into power.
He demanded that government stop harassing people for constructing toilets by releasing dictatorial orders of stopping pension, ration and implement the scheme with transparency and present the real picture.

"Statements and announcement of BJP government are different from its action. They boast about their work in advertisements but truth is bitter on thew ground. We will keep on exposing corruption and poor implementation of the government and present it before the people," Pilot said.