BJP Media Chief Criticizes Shimla Mayor Over Toilet Fee Controversy

Shimla, December 31: BJP State Media Chief Karan Nanda has strongly criticized the Congress-led Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) for allegedly imposing a ₹5 fee on public toilet use, calling it a burden on the city’s residents and tourists. Nanda accused Mayor Surinder Chauhan of backtracking on his earlier claims and following Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s footsteps in imposing “anti-people decisions.”

Addressing the media, Nanda claimed that despite repeated denials by the CM, the Mayor has admitted the implementation of the fee. Highlighting the issue of gender equality raised by the Mayor, Nanda suggested that instead of imposing new charges on men, the MC should have rolled back the existing ₹5 fee for women.

He further criticized the Mayor’s reference to the High Court’s directives, accusing Congress leaders of hiding behind the judiciary to justify their “dictatorial decisions.” Nanda highlighted past decisions like the aborted luxury tax on cooking utensils in HRTC buses and the registration fee on tree cutting, labeling them as anti-public.

Nanda also accused the Mayor of inconsistency, alleging that he has taken a U-turn on transferring the public toilets’ management to Sulabh International. He called for Congress leaders to act responsibly and prioritize public welfare over political gimmicks.