The news regarding the declaration of Dhubri district as Open Defecation Free (ODF) has raised eyebrows of the three sitting MLAs of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) who represents the district in Assam Legislative Assembly.
Also read: Assam: Dhubri open defecation free: deserving tag or hollow claim?
The three MLA namely Hafiz Basir Ahmed who represents Bilasipara West, Gauripur MLA Nijanur Rahman of Gauripur and Nazrul Houqe of Dhubri constituencies respectively has expressed their grave concern and surprise over the government’s decision through which the State Government has declared Dhubri district as ODF on June 4 last.
The trio MLAs of AIUDF during a press meet held on Monday evening at the Circuit House of Dhubri has demanded a high level and impartial inquiry into the matter and also challenged the district and state officials to organize a jointly spot visit in which the representatives of all political party, organizations and media persons will be participated to unearth the original pictures of open defecation free tall claims.
Nazrul Houqe, MLA of Dhubri said that in his constituency still more than fifty per cent population are bound to go out to meet their nature’s call and even after that, the authorities concerned has prepared a false report by suppressing the ground reality and submit it to the government only to get the ODF tag.
“Rampant loot of public money in the name of Swachh Bharat Mission is taking place in Dhubri district under the very nose of the State Government and as all the contractors and suppliers engaged in SBM belongs to the members of ruling party in the State and that is why the district administration has also turned a blind eye into the matter despite knowing all the real facts”, further alleged Nazrul Houqe, the MLA from Dhubri.
MLA Hafiz Basir Ahmed and Nizanur Rahaman of Bilasipara West and Gauripur respectively have also echoed the same voice and alleged that the Dhubri district has declared ODF only on paper whereas the ground reality is miles away.
Dr M N Ray, a local resident of Part II of Debottar Hasdaha Gram Panchayat of Dhubri district has also shared his experience over the ugly scenario of ODF of his village recently in a letter to the editor of a leading English daily.
According to him, there are 724 households in Part II of Debottar Hasdaha GP and out of which more than 50 per cent of the households do not have a toilets.
In Part I of same GP, the situation is no better.
While appreciating the government initiative through which a large number of latrines have been constructed by the district administration under the SBM in these villages, but most of them are not useable due to their sub-standard and faulty construction, Ray added.
It is worth mentioning here that, Dhubri district Water and Sanitary Committee (DWSC) had claimed that under SBM schemes, a total 1, 61,934 IHHL (Individual Households Latrines) has been constructed and Dhubri (Gramin) district has achieved the 1005 target within the schedule time periods and following to which Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and PHE Minister Rihon Daimary had congratulated the Dhubri district administration and also declared district as ODF.
Dhubri district have five legislature assembly seats namely Dhubri, Gauripur, Golakganj, Bilasipara East and Bilasipara West.
And out of five, three seats namely Dhubri, Gauripur and Bilasipara West respectively were won by AIUDF while Golakganj and Bilasipra East respectively were won by ruling BJP party in 2016 Assembly election.