Modi: 8.5 lakh toilets in a week; RJD: 84 toilet per min

New Delhi, April 12: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim of Bihar constructing 8.5 lakh toilets in a week created widespread disbelief, the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation on Thursday shared its own calculation showing how it was "easily doable".

"It has been reported by some media outlets that such a rate of progress is impossible based on the calculation of a 'per day' or 'per minute' rate of toilet construction, working backwards from these figures. This is an incorrect interpretation of the data," the ministry said in a statement.

On Tuesday, at the culmination of Champaran centenary celebrations in Motihari, Modi said, "In the last one week, more than 850,000 toilets have been constructed in Bihar. This is a great achievement. I congratulate the people, the 'Swachhagrahis' and the state government for this."

Many opposition leaders raised questions about its authenticity. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had tweeted a calculation from the figures that resulted in 84 toilets per minute. His tweet said: "Such a big goof-up from PM Sahab. I believe even CM Bihar won't agree on such false claims."