Question : Notices issued by NGT

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued Notices on the lack of public sanitation and toilets in cities in the country including Delhi and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether huge funds released by the Government for Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has not been utilised/ misused in cities including Delhi, particularly in South Delhi and other such areas;

(c) if so, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the concerns of the NGT have been noted by the Government and appropriate action initiated in response to the Notices and Orders on public sanitation and toilets for the urban poor; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a): No, Madam.

(b): Utilisation of the funds released for construction of toilets is an on-going process. Funds are issued by Government to the States and are further disbursed by State Governments to Cities/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for construction of toilets. The construction work takes some time, during which the funds are parked with the cities/ULBs and hence cannot be said to be unutilised/ misused. No case of misuse of funds released for toilet construction has been reported to the Government.

(c): Does not arise.

(d) & (e): In view of answer (a), do not arise. However, instructions have been issued to all State Mission Directors of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) and Municipal Commissioners of ULBs for proper maintenance and cleanliness of all community and public toilets (CTs/PTs).

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