Locals of ODF VDC shut toilets for want of water

GAIGHAT: The Thanagaun VDC of Udayapur district was declared open defecation-free (ODF) amid a grand programme on May 8.

But, local Dalits of Thanagaun-8 have stopped using toilets they have constructed, for there is no water to use!

There are 50 households in the Dalit settlement and all houses have toilets.

"We are compelled to walk for two hours to fetch water from the Maruwa stream," local Phul Kumari BK, said, "Here is no any source of water in the village."

As locals are struggling hard to fetch water for drinking, how they could manage water for toilets, wondered local political leader Parashu Ram Pokharel.

"Hence, they left using toilets," he explained.

Pokharel accused the VDC of declaring the village ODF without managing water resources.

Though some stakeholders had raised the issue, the VDC had assured to manage it later, he added.

Local political leaders claimed they have been telling concerned authorities about the problem for last 10 years, but all in vain.

"We could do nothing," local Jeevan Sarketi said.

Local Development Officer of the district, Pitambar Adhikari, said the District Development Committee is working to establish water projects in ODF VDCs in coordination with various donor agencies.

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