A new scheme started by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, wherein he has promised to gift four saplings and Rs 12,000 to newly-weds for them to build a washroom in case their house lacks one, is an intelligent move. According to information provided by the 2011 Census for Uttar Pradesh, nearly 65 per cent of people do not have full access to toilet facilities and 63 per cent defecate in the open. Schemes such as these ought to be adopted by other states.

Kanchan Rudra

New Delhi