NAVEENA GHANATE
Hyderabad
For all the hype around the ‘Mana Ooru Mana Badi’ initiative of the BRS government to renovate schools, Telangana has the least number of toilets in government schools. This has become an election point now.
As per the rules of the Election Commission, there must be one toilet for men and one for women in all government buildings declared as polling stations.
Sources said that there are around 4,000 schools which don’t have toilets or a proper toilet facility which was raised by the EC during its three-day visit.
“The Election Commission emphasised that polling booths should be provided only in government buildings. Earlier, some private colleges and schools were used for polling. Then EC officials found that the institutions lacked toilet facilities,” sources said.
The electricity bills of many of the buildings were not paid. Sources said that EC raised this point as any interruption in the polling process will hit the election process.
On behalf of the government, the Chief Secretary assured EC that toilets will be provided and the issue of pending electricity bills will also be addressed.
Finance Secretary Rama Krishnarao also promised to release funds for buildings which don’t have the facilities and also clear dues.
As per data tabled in the Rajya Sabha earlier, nearly 2,124 schools lack functioning toilets making Telangana the state with most schools lacking sanitary facilities.
Chief Secretary A. Shanti Kumari assured the ECI delegation of logistical support to conduct the elections smoothly.
The EC emphasised that only government buildings must be used for polling. The Election Commission of India team conducted a three-day poll preparedness meeting with senior officials of different enforcement agencies, District Collectors, Police Commissioners and SPs.
It may be mentioned here that unlike last time when polling stations were not provided in Left extremist areas, this time all-out security and logistics facilities will be provided. DGP Anjani Kumar reportedly said that he will beef up forces.
