DCW notice to MCD Commissioner over use of acid in civic body-run public toilets

The Delhi Commission for Women has issued a notice to MCD Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti over use of acid in civic body-run public toilets.

The Commission had inspected an MCD female toilet opposite GB Pant Hospital Gate No. 8, Daryaganj on April 6 and found 50 litre canister containing acid kept in the open inside a toilet.

The panel was informed by cleaners as well as a staff of the agency given a contract by the MCD for maintaining and operating the toilet complex that they purchase acid every month to clean the toilets.

As per DCW, this is illegal and extremely dangerous as anyone could have accessed this acid and could use it for causing an acid attack. They ensured that the acid was immediately confiscated by Delhi Police and issued summons to MCD officials to explain the presence of acid in toilets.

Senior officers from the City Zone appeared before the DCW and provided a written reply which states that no guidelines have been issued by MCD to prevent usage of acid for cleaning public toilets. They also informed that the toilets are cleaned (by the agency) as

per terms and conditions imposed upon them in the

contract agreement by MCD.

MCD officers verbally informed the Commission that most of the contract agreements that MCD has signed with private agencies for operation and maintenance of toilets follow the same format as that of the contract agreement presently in question. DCW observed that this act of MCD is in contravention to the directions issued by the Supreme Court on use of acid in the country. DCW has issued notice to MCD Commissioner and has sought an explanation in the matter. DCW also asked whether FIR under Section 188 IPC has been registered against them or not.

DCW Chief Swati Maliwal stated, “This is very shocking. MCD itself is encouraging the use of acid in its toilets. Hon’ble Supreme court has issued strong directions against usage, sale and storage of acid. But, instead of preventing the use of acid, MCD is deliberately asking its agencies to use acid for toilet cleaning which is very unfortunate. The terms and conditions of the said agreement should be amended and this clause should be taken back. FIR should be filed against the officials who have been involved in issuing such directions to MCD. Further, MCD should issue strict directions to toilet maintenance agencies to prevent use of acid for cleaning toilets.”