Eight thousand lavatories in Solapur `missing’

The CEO has ordered an inquiry to unearth the nexus between ZP block development officers (BDOs), gramsevaks and villages sarpanches. A five member committee comprising ZP members is investigating the alleged scam.

Meanwhile, responding to the show cause notices issued by the CEO, a few persons have re-deposited the part of the amount which was `withheld’ by them, Jhagade told The Indian Express. TheWater Supply and Sanitation department’s target for Solapur district for 1997-98 was to construct 23,000 lavatories in eleven talukas. A compliance report from the ZP officials, which the CEO says was a fabricated one, had claimed a cent per cent success for the scheme in Solpaur. The scam, however, came to light after the ZP officials’ compliance claims were objected to by a group of `disgruntled’ gramsevaks.

The Water Supply and Sanitation department gives a construction grant for a lavatory under its ambitious schemes to construct five lakh lavatories in rural Maharashtra. The initial portion of the grant to the tune of Rs 2500 is released through the BDO concerned while rest is released through a joint account in the name of gramsevak and sarpanch of the village.

Jhagade acting on complaints from some `unhappy’ gramsevaks, ordered an inquiry into the construction of the reported 23,000 lavatories. A physical verification confirmed existence of only 15,000 lavatories.

A preliminary investigation hasaccused BDOs, gramsevaks and sarpanches of misappropriating amount worth Rs 2 crore. The CEO later issued show cause notices to BDOs, gramsevaks and sarpanches concerned.