Allahabad HC Questions Use Of Female Workforce For Men’s Toilet Maintenance

Allahabad High Court

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court voiced its surprise at the arrangement of having a female-only workforce look after public toilets designated for men in Jeyona village, Raebareli district.

The observations came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the construction and upkeep of community toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

PIL Challenges Sanitation Arrangements

Jamuna Prasad filed the PIL to highlight deficiencies in both the building and maintenance of toilet facilities in Jeyona panchayat, part of the Maharajganj block development area. Prasad’s petition questioned not only the structural adequacy of these units but also the gender-sensitive deployment of maintenance staff.

Detailed Response

A division bench—Justices A.R. Masoodi and A.K. Srivastava—ordered the state government to file a comprehensive counter-affidavit addressing the issues raised. In addition, the justices summoned the village head (Gram Pradhan) to appear in person before the court on May 22 to explain the panchayat’s strategy for managing these facilities.

During an earlier hearing, the village head informed the court that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Jeyona village had erected a combined sanitation block featuring three women’s toilets alongside three for men. To ensure regular cleaning and upkeep, the panchayat had enlisted a self-help group (SHG) of 12 women, backed by the Rural Livelihood Mission, to oversee maintenance.

“Three separate toilets for women and an equal number of toilets for men have been constructed at the same place. In order to monitor the maintenance of the toilets, a self-help group of 12 women, sponsored by the Rural Livelihood Mission, has been engaged,” the village head told the bench.

Question Of Court

When asked specifically how men’s toilets were being serviced, the village head revealed that the same all-female SHG was responsible for cleaning every unit—male and female alike—for nearly a year. This arrangement struck the judges as potentially inappropriate.

“Maintenance of toilets used by men through a female workforce does not seem to be in line with any scheme evolved by the gram panchayat, which enjoys exclusive control of maintenance,” the bench observed, underscoring the need for gender-appropriate staffing in sanitation services.

Implications

The court’s pointed remarks suggest that local bodies must consider cultural sensitivities and privacy concerns when deploying maintenance crews. By scheduling the village head’s personal appearance and demanding a detailed counter-affidavit, the High Court is signaling that mere construction of facilities is insufficient without proper, context-aware management.

The matter is set for further hearing on May 22, when the village head must answer the court’s queries and outline any revised plans to ensure both the structural integrity and the culturally sensitive upkeep of these essential public amenities.