A Buck For Relieving Yourself in Ahmedabad

Civic body in Ahmedabad said ‘use loo, get paid’ has been taken to prevent open defecation.

A boy takes bath outside newly built toilets in a village. (Photo: Reuters)

In an innovative way to eradicate practice of open defecation, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced ‘use and get paid’ scheme under which people will be paid Re 1 for using public toilets.

The novel approach was cleared by Standing Committee of the AMC recently. Standing Committee Chairman Pravin Patel said the concept of ‘get paid to use public toilet’ will bring out desired results.

We have around 315 public toilets in the city. And we have identified some 120 areas where open defecation is practiced around the public toilet facility. Initially, users of public toilet will be paid in these areas.

—Pravin Patel, Standing Committee Chairman.

Earlier, the concept was ‘pay and use’ in public toilets, but now it will be ‘use and get paid’ for, he added.