Now, men too will be charged for using public toilets in Shimla

The Municipal Corporation (MC) of Shimla is set to introduce charges for men using public toilets across the town. The decision, which was made during the MC’s monthly general house meeting, will see men charged for using urinals in about 30 public toilets, primarily located in high-footfall areas, such as the main market areas.

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In addition to the individual charges for men, the MC plans to issue cards to local businessmen and their sales staff, allowing them to make monthly payments for using the public toilets. The monthly charge for these cards is expected to range between Rs 100 to Rs 120.

Previously, only women were required to pay for using public toilets, a policy that faced criticism, including from the Himachal Pradesh High Court. To simplify the payment process, the MC is considering the installation of QR code scanners in these toilets, enabling payments via UPI.

Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan clarified that this charge is not a “toilet tax”, but rather a means to fund the maintenance and cleanliness of the public toilets. The aim of the decision is also to promote gender equality, as women were previously the only group required to pay. He explained that several meetings with local business representatives have taken place, and further discussions will be held before finalising the mechanism for the new charges. Additionally, the MC will seek suggestions from local residents to refine the implementation process.