Construction of toilets: Villagers refuse to pay

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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GULBARGA: A lack of awareness about maintaining hygiene and failure of the zilla panchayat and other agencies in launching an awar..

GULBARGA: A lack of awareness about maintaining hygiene and failure of the zilla panchayat and other agencies in launching an awareness programme has made Infosys Foundation, which planned to construct 10,000 toilets in the villages of Gulbarga district, reconsider their decision.
According to information available with Express, Infosys and Gulbarga ZP had selected 25 villages of 7 talukas to implement this programme, and selected Sugur village near Nalwar. In Sugur, 100 beneficiaries were selected for providing individual toilets. It was decided Infosys would contribute Rs 10,000, ZP would provide a subsidy of Rs 3,000, while the beneficiaries had to give the remaining Rs 7,000. Krishna Grameena Bank and State Bank of Hyderabad had agreed to provide loans to the beneficiaries at nominal rates. Initially, 25 beneficiaries came forward to pay their share of Rs 7,000 and trusting them, Infosys had started the construction of toilets in their compounds.

However, the beneficiaries, who had promised to give their share once the construction kicks off, did not pay. Of the 25 beneficiaries, only 13 applied for loans. The remaining 12 said they would pay in cash without taking a loan. Of them, five beneficiaries were reluctant to pay the amount and started giving excuses, it is reported.

Speaking to Express, Vasudev Deshpande, programme incharge of Infosys Foundation, said that once the beneficiaries come forward with their share, some of the organisations will be ready to provide some relief in the share of Rs 7,000."