Shimla mayor does a U-turn on toilet usage charges on men

After facing backlash over its decision to charge ₹5 from men as charges for using public toilets, Shimla mayor Surinder Chauhan on Tuesday said the municipal corporation does not support the “Sulabh International” proposal to collect usage charges from both men and women. Shimla mayor Surinder Chauhan said, “We have no intention of implementing such charges now or in the future.” On Monday, the MC decided to take ₹5 from men as well as usage charges. Supporting the decision, Chauhan had said, “This is not toilet tax, but the fee collected will be used for maintenance.” However, taking a U-turn, Chauhan said, “We have no intention of implementing such charges now or in the future.” He said the MC will also be submitting before the Himachal Pradesh high court that they do not support the proposal. Nanda, while commenting on the mayor’s U-turn, said, “The Congress leaders should act responsibly and prioritise public welfare over political gimmicks.” Highlighting the issue of gender equality raised by the mayor, Nanda while talking to media persons, said, “Instead of imposing new charges on men, the MC should have rolled back the existing ₹5 fee for women.” He accused the Congress leader of hiding behind the judiciary to justify their “dictatorial decisions.”