NMC tells High Court sanitary inspectors will be accountable for cleanliness of Nagpur toilets

A public interest litigation was filed over the poor condition of public toilets in Nagpur district. During the hearing, the High Court had asked the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to fix the responsibility of sanitary inspectors. In compliance with that order, the corporation has now filed an affidavit in the High Court setting out the administrative arrangement and who will be accountable.

The corporation said the sanitary inspector of the ward concerned will have primary responsibility for the cleanliness and maintenance of all public and community toilets in the city. Complaints received from citizens will be acted on and resolved within 24 hours.

In the affidavit, the corporation said that additional details on how many public toilets, community toilets and pay-and-use toilets there are in the city, how they are built, how they are maintained and what facilities they offer have already been placed before the court. Ward sanitary inspectors are now being given specific responsibility for regular cleaning, sanitation facilities and better upkeep of these toilets.

Petitioner Adv. Sandeep Badana argued his petition himself. Adv. Gemini Kasat appeared for the corporation.

Zonal officers and assistant commissioners have been given charge of overseeing the whole arrangement. Zonal officers will regularly inspect cleanliness and work so that the system is implemented properly.

Citizens have been given three options for reporting filth. They can lodge a complaint directly with the zonal officer or assistant commissioner concerned. They can also complain online on the corporation's public grievance redressal portal. The corporation has assured that every complaint received will be acted on and resolved within 24 hours.

The corporation also made clear in the affidavit that officers and employees who cause unwarranted delay in disposing of complaints, or show negligence or dereliction of duty, will face strict action under the rules. If negligence in maintaining toilets or filth is found, disciplinary action will be initiated against the sanitary inspector or zonal officer concerned under the applicable service rules. According to the corporation, the arrangement will create a clean and hygienic environment in the city's public toilets and fix the administration's accountability.