Open defecation: Family fined Rs 75,000 in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district

Swachh Bharat is at full flow at Betul district of Madhya Pradesh where the panchayat has imposed a fine of Rs 75,000 to a family that was found openly defacating. 

Notices to 43 other families have been served by the panchayat of Rambhakhedi village. 

What is more shocking is that, the family was warned one month back to stop open defecation yet they did not listen, so the fine was imposed. The family consists of 10 members, said Kunwarlal who serves as the assistant to the village panchayat.      

"The fine was imposed for one month at a rate of Rs 250 per day on each of the 10 members of the family underMadhya Pradesh Panchayat (Swachhata Tatha Nuisance Nivaran Tatha Upshaman) Rules, 1999. Besides, 43 other families were also served notices to stop open defecation," he said.

The village sarpanch, Ramrati Bai, said action was taken as the family members were not ready to use the toiletconstructed at their home despite repeated advice.      

"These villagers had been warned on several occasions, but they were not ready to use the toilets at home," she said.