Lucknow, Nov 25 (IANS): Members of nearly 58,000 women self-help groups (SHG) will be entrusted with the management of community toilets constructed in all gram panchayats in Uttar Pradesh. They will be paid Rs 6,000 per month by the government.

In all, 6,000 women from these SHG have already been given work at as many toilets in the state.

According to a government spokesman, as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the state government plans to construct 58,000 community toilets in the gram panchayats.

A sum of Rs 3 lakh is given for the construction of a community toilet under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Rural 2). In many districts, large community toilets with better facilities are also coming up.

Women employed at these toilets will be given PPE kits, gloves, and disinfectants etc twice a year.

Panchayati Raj Department Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said that their efforts were aimed at completing the construction of toilets in every gram panchayat by March 2021.

"As the construction is completed, employment will be provided to more women from the self-help groups. We are also conducting third-party verification of toilets that have been completed. Quality of construction etc will be examined in this process," he said.

The state government will give Rs 9,000 per month for the maintenance of toilet in the gram panchayats. The cleanliness worker or caretaker will take up cleaning at least twice a day.

A sum of Rs 500 per month will also be given for the repair of electricity, plumbing, taps and for cleaning equipment like broom, brushes, wipers, sponges, clothes, mops, buckets, and mugs etc.

Once in six months, Rs 1,000 will be given for disinfectant material, soaps, washing powder, air fresheners, masks, gloves, and aprons.

To take care of utility charges, Rs 1,000 per month will be given to meet expenses on water, electricity, solid waste management, apart from Rs 300 per month for other expenses.