NEW DELHI: Over 300 senior officials of Central government of the rank of director and deputy secretary have have been dispatched to states for "spot inspection" of toilets in schools and they have been asked to submit the report by next week. Sources said the step has been taken since the Prime Minister is miffed at the slow progress in building toilets in schools.

Sources said each 'observer' will visit 15 schools in urban areas and 10 in rural areas in different states to verify whether toilets have actually been built with water supply. The officials will carry out random checks and meet the deputy commissioners of the districts concerned to take an overall review of the progress made in construction of toilets. They have to give details of the separate toilets built for boys and girls in the schools they inspect.

"The teams will come with reports of physical infrastructure, their maintenance and who is actually using these facilities besides utilization of funds. They will give suggestions based on their on the spot assessment," said a government official.

Addressing the nation on the Indepedence Day last year, PM Narendra Modi had said, "There should be separate toilets for girls. Next year, when we stand here, every school should have toilets for girls and boys." Moreover, he had urged all parliamentarians to invest from their constituency funds on building toilets in every school.

The observers have also been directed to look at the implementation of mid-day meal scheme, Sarv Siksha Abhiyaan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyaan.