The Delhi Commission for Women has issued notice to the MCD commissioner over the usage of acid for cleaning purposes at a civic body-run toilet. The notice was issued after the panel found a 50-litre canister containing acid inside a public toilet opposite GB Pant Hospital in Daryaganj.
The panel was informed by cleaners as well as a staff of the agency given a contract by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for maintaining and operating the toilet complex that they purchase acid every month to clean the toilets.
The corrosive substance was confiscated by Delhi Police and a summons was issued by the commission to MCD officials, asking them to explain its presence in toilets. Senior officers from the city zone appeared before the commission with a written reply that stated that no guidelines have been issued by the civic body to prevent the usage of acid for the cleaning of its public toilets.
They further informed that agencies clean public facilities as per the terms and conditions imposed upon them by the MCD. They also provided a copy of the contract agreement mentioning the same to the commission.
