The Supreme Court on Wednesday said availability of public toilets is an important duty of the state governments and Union territories and steps need to be taken to ensure that such facilities are accessible to all. Issuing a slew of directions on a PIL filed by a lawyer, the apex court asked all the high courts, state governments and UTs to ensure availability of separate toilet facilities for males, females, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and transgender persons in all court premises and tribunals across the country. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan while hearing the plea said public health is of paramount importance and creation of adequate public toilets also protects the privacy and removes the threat to women and transgender persons. "The High Courts shall oversee and ensure that these facilities are clearly identifiable and accessible to Judges, advocates, litigants, and court staff. "For the aforesaid purpose, a committee shall be constituted in each of