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. Earlier, the sand crisis, too, had hit toilet construction in the district.

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.

According to the DDC, a mobile team with necessary repair equipment and skilled PHED personnel has been deputed in each block to restore non-functional hand pumps. "It is a temporary phenomenon and things will improve once it rains," Singh said.

"That toilets need more water to flush out human excreta is a myth." 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.

Explaining the rural pan installation technique, the DDC said a deep slope is used so that the excreta drains away with as little water as possible. Told that minimal use of water may leave a bad odour, the DDC said the design is such the excreta quickly mixes with the soil, nullifying the chance of stench, bad odour or gas formation.

Agreeing that there was some reluctance among residents to go the whole hog to embrace ODF, the DDC said they were being educated about the advantages of toilet and harmful effects of open defecation and the result was positive.

Congress leader Baliram Sharma said "the scheme has been reduced to questionable statistics". Many rural women prefer outdoor defecation, as they get to meet and gossip with friends. "More challenging than toilet construction is the attitudinal change required for the scheme's success," social scientist Ali Hussain said.