Odisha man turns Swachh toilet into home

Rourkela: A man in Jalada village of Odisha`s Rourkela district has been living in a toilet allotted to him by the government since the last three months.

Chotu Rautia`s repeated requests for a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) fell onto deaf ears, which is why the 50-year-old daily wage labourer began living in the 4 feet x 5 feet toilet that he managed to get under another government scheme.

"My house has broken, now where will I sleep?" asked Rautia.

Rautia added that he ran from pillar to post and narrated his ordeal, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, Block Development Officer Lathikata asserted that the man has been living outside the toilet, and not inside it.

"I haven`t conducted a detailed inquiry but I spoke to him, he is not staying in the toilet but outside," BDO Lathikata told ANI.

The BDO also said they will try and help him to get a house.

"Meanwhile, we are mulling where he should be given shelter for the time being," the BDO added.

The tiny toilet has Rautia`s clothes and a mosquito net hanging on a line, his vessels lie scattered on the floor next to a stove.

The toilet was allotted to Chotu Rautia under the Swachh Bharat Yojana.