In a move aimed at improving sanitation facilities and promoting education for girls, Oil India Limited (OIL) has announced that it will fund the construction of 47 toilets for girl students in schools across Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya. The initiative is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme and is expected to address the shortage of dedicated toilets for female students in several government schools. According to officials, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on October 24 between representatives of Oil India Limited and Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal. As per the agreement, the state-run energy major will provide around ₹72 lakh to finance the construction of the toilets in selected schools that currently lack proper sanitation facilities for girls.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said that the project was inspired by a visit earlier this year by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who had drawn attention to the poor toilet infrastructure in some schools in the district. Baranwal said the new initiative would help create a healthier and more comfortable environment for girl students and encourage them to attend school regularly. “The lack of proper sanitation has been one of the main reasons for absenteeism among female students, especially in rural areas,” Baranwal noted. “With this project, we are hopeful that the attendance and participation of girls in schools will see a positive rise.”
The construction of the toilet facilities will be jointly monitored by the Ri Bhoi District Administration and Oil India Limited to ensure that the work is completed on time and meets quality standards. Officials have stated that the project is expected to be completed by December 2025.