Guj: toilet at home must for panchayat members and candidates

Ahead of the launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Gujarat government today issued an ordinance making it mandatory for panchayat poll candidates to have a toilet at home.
The state cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Anandi Patel, took the decision.
Government spokesperson and minister Nitin Patel said the ordinance will amend the existing Panchayat Act.
"We are making it compulsory for every Panchayat candidate to first prove that he or she has a toilet facility at home," he said.
The rule will be applicable to panchayat elections at all levels -- from village to the district. "The rule will also apply to all the present Panchayat members. Aspirants as well as current elected representatives are now required to obtain a certificate (about having a latrine at home) from local revenue officers (talathis)," he said.

"This is an endeavour to spread awareness about need for toilets. After the Panchayat Act, we will also amend the Municipality Act to cover the candidates of elections to municipal corporations and municipalities," said Patel.
About the launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Patel said all the ministers and government officers will be on the streets tomorrow. "CM will be in Porbandar to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and will launch a cleanliness drive there....Ministers will go to their respective constituencies to take part in cleaning drive. I will be in Mehsana.
"This is not a political event. I have also invited Leader of Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela and Congress chief whip Balwantsinh Rajput to take part," said Patel.