Toilet seat fee sparks war of words between BJP and Congress in Himachal Pradesh
- In Reports
- 04:48 PM, Oct 04, 2024
- Myind Staff
A political clash has erupted between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh over reports that the state government issued a notification charging ₹25 per toilet seat for urban households. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu vehemently dismissed these claims as "baseless," but the BJP was quick to seize the opportunity to criticise the Congress government.
Union Health Minister and BJP President JP Nadda stated that the Congress government is causing unnecessary trouble for citizens. "Himachal has become 100% open defecation-free, but now they are taxing toilets. What should we call this? This government has lost its mind," he remarked. Nadda questioned whether corruption had increased under the Congress government and accused them of troubling citizens in every possible way.
Reports indicated that the notification proposed sewerage connections would be issued based on the number of toilet seats installed in buildings. Responding to the allegations, Sukhu emphasised that these claims are politically motivated, particularly as elections in neighbouring Haryana approach. He noted, "There is nothing like that; it is completely false."
The Himachal Pradesh government clarified that the notification, issued on September 21, was quickly withdrawn on the same day after objections were raised by the Deputy Chief Minister. Additional Chief Secretary Omkar Sharma explained that the notification related to sewerage and water billing and assured that a new one would be issued soon.
This controversy comes after the Sukhu government announced that a monthly water bill of ₹100 per connection will begin in October, reversing the previous BJP government's promise of free water. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also criticised the Congress, calling the alleged toilet tax "unbelievable" and asserting that they are taxing people for toilets while Prime Minister Modi promotes cleanliness through the Swachh Bharat initiative.
Currently, Himachal Pradesh charges ₹500 for domestic sewerage connections and ₹1,000 for commercial ones.
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