Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Haveri, Dec 5: It is surprising but true. 'Vastu' has become the hindrance in turning Karnataka state open-defecation free. Beneficiaries of the government's project of building free toilets want the toilets to be Vastu compliant. Officials of gram panchayat and town panchayat are clueless as to how to handle this situation.

In villages and small towns, houses are built very close to one another. People who believe in Vastu allow the toilet to be built only in the northwest direction of their house. However, people who do not have space on the northwest portion of their house and also those who have some issues with their neighbours are reluctant to build the toilets even though the government is offering monetary help.

In Guttala village of Haveri, some villagers have changed the position of their toilets to make them Vastu compliant, whereas others have objected to building the toilet as it will create an issue because of their belief in Vastu. The officials are trying hard to convince the villagers as they are facing tough time to reach their intended target of making all village and town panchayats free from open defecation.

So far 1460 applications have been received from the villagers of Guttala. However, only 560 toilets have been built. Government is providing Rs 9,600 through cheque for each individual. Rest Rs 5,400 will be given under the 'Swachh Bharath' grant scheme as per the information given by officials of Guttala town panchayat. This issue is not limited to Guttala village alone but has spread to almost all parts of the state.