Gaya: Acute water scarcity and fast dipping water table have hit execution of the open defecation-free (ODF) scheme in almost all 24 blocks of the district.
With toilet construction suspended in many districts because of water scarcity, residents have returned to defecating in the open fields, a process that requires less water as against pans, says S.B.
Bhaskar, an activist working in the Mahadalit hamlets.
Reports reaching the district headquarters say the problem is acute in areas like Atri, Raushanganj, Banke Bazar, Imamganj and Gurua.
Gaya district magistrate (DM) Abhishekh Singh said he has sought a report from the deputy development commissioner (DDC) on the issue.
Admitting to a slowdown in toilet construction work, DDC Raghvendra Singh said several hand pumps in different blocks have turned defunct, adding to water scarcity and impacting the ODF plan.
"It is a temporary phenomenon and things will improve once it rains," Singh said.
The rural pans being fitted in the toilets have been specially designed to flush out excreta.
"Almost the same quantity of water is required in rural pans as in open defecation – no more than 1 litre," claimed the DDC.
Congress leader Baliram Sharma said "the scheme has been reduced to questionable statistics".