Reports have appeared in various sections of the media about the expenditure on
renovation of public toilets in the Planning Commission. The reports are based on
responses given by the Planning Commission under the RTI.
It is unfortunate that what is routine maintenance and upgradation is being projected as
wasteful expenditure. The toilets being repaired or renovated are public toilet blocks, and
not private toilets for senior officials or Members. While the amount of Rs 30 lakh being
mentioned is correct, an impression is being created that this has been spent on two toilets.
This is totally false, because these toilet blocks have multiple seats in addition to separate
facility for the differently abled. Each of these blocks can be simultaneously used by
approximately ten people.
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