Who is responsible for Demolishing or Converting an Insanitary latrine?

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The person who occupies the property on which an ‘insanitary latrine’ exists has to demolish or convert it. If more than one person owns the property on which the insanitary latrine is built, the costs have to be paid by the owner (if they are one of the occupiers) or equally by all of them.

While the State Government could choose to help occupiers with the conversion process, the occupier cannot use the government’s inaction as an excuse to maintain an insanitary latrine beyond 9 months. In case the occupier does not destroy or convert an insanitary latrine within 9 months, the local authority has to take over after giving a notice of 21 days. The authority can then recover the costs from the occupier.

The punishment for first-time offenders is jail time up to one year as well as a fine for up to Rs.50,000. Second-time offenders can face jail time up to two years and a fine of up to Rs.1,00,000.

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