Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 22, 2015 : With public sector units [PSUs] failing to meet the deadline of constructing new toilets in schools, Odisha government has asked district collectors to take up such projects and complete them by July 31, officials said.

Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati through a video conference with the Collectors has directed the district collectors to take up the toilets which were allotted to PSUs but not started; and, complete those on war footing with construction of low cost functional toilets by the month end.

Reviewing the district wise progress, Chief Secretary has directed the Collectors to complete the construction of new toilets and operationalize all old toilets by 31st July. Collectors have also been asked to set up low cost functional toilets in remote and difficult areas pending construction of permanent toilets.

Secretary School and Mass Education Smt Ranjana Chopra, clarified that the services of District Education Officers, Block Education Officers, and other officers of School & Mass education department can be utilized for coordination, supervision and monitoring of the works.

Collectors have also been asked to involve school management committees actively in this work. Chief Secretary has directed Orissa Primary Education Project Authority [OPEPA] to issue clear cut guidelines for operation and maintenance of toilets.

More than 44000 toilets are either to be constructed or renovated in the state. Out of this 13,049 are programmed to be constructed through OPEPA and 30,953 toilets are to be constructed through public sector units [PSUs]. OPEPA has completed 6436 toilets and balance 6613 is in advanced stage of completion, officials said.

So far, 20 central PSUs have agreed to construct these toilets. As of now, The PSUs have completed 5690 numbers, official said.