Lok Sabha Question No. 5454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-06
Subject: Data on Construction of Toilets
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5454 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06-04-2017

## Data on Construction of Toilets

## 5454. SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether  the  records  on  construction  of  toilets  under  Swachh  Bharat  Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) and the on-the-ground reality of toilets in the rural areas present different scenarios on open defecation and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of community toilets upgraded and maintained;
- (c)  whether  any  discrimination  has  been  noticed  against  the  Scheduled  Castes/  Scheduled Tribes in the use of toilets and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that the toilets constructed are used;
- (e) whether measures have been taken to monitor the conditions of such toilets constructed and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government has identified reasons as to why open defecation is still persistent despite construction of toilets and if so, the details thereof and the measures taken to address such issues?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a) As per survey done by National Sample Survey Office in June, 2015, 45.3% households have  latrines.  Whereas,  45.5%  households  have  latrines  as  per  Integrated  Management Information System (IMIS) of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
- (b) There is no provision of upgradation of Community Sanitary Complexes under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). As per Baseline Survey conducted in 2012-13, 85% Community Sanitary Complexes were found functional.
- (c)  As  per  Integrated  Management  Information  System  (IMIS)  of  Swachh  Bharat  Mission (Gramin), 61.70% STs households and 60.70% SCs households have toilets as on 3.4.2017, whereas over-all 63.02%  households have toilets.

(d) The focus of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is on behaviour change of people to adopt safe sanitation and hygiene. In order to educate the people, the programme lays emphasis on community involvement.  Up to 8% of total resources can be spent on Information, Education and Communication (IEC). The States have been advised to spend at least 60% of IEC funds for inter-personal  communication (IPC) activities. Many States are focusing on community approach, wherein the people are directly triggered and made aware about the importance of sanitation and hygiene using some triggering tools. Besides, conventional IEC tools are also used  to  educate  the  people.  Trainings  of  Collectors  and  key  stakeholders  is  being  done regularly  on  people's  education.  To  ensure  adequate  availability  of  water  for  toilets, under Swachh  Bharat  Mission  (Gramin)  {SBM-G},  the  incentive  for  individual  toilet  has been increased from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000, to provide for water availability, including for storing  water  for  hand-washing  and  cleaning.  The  SBM(G)  guidelines  also  provide  for prioritization of conjoint programmes of sanitation and water to maximize the availability of water for sanitation purposes.

(e) The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has developed a comprehensive system of monitoring of the Programme through visit of Ministry officials and National Level Monitors The on-line monitoring has been strengthened and transparency increased in the implementation of the Programme of SBM(G) by  making all the data including the  names and addresses of the beneficiaries of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs) available in the public domain / on-line monitoring system. A Mobile application for uploading photographs of  toilets  constructed  after  2.10.2014  is  being  developed.  A  mobile  application  called Swachch app also allows any citizen to view the progress made under SBM(G) in any part of the country right upto the household level.

(f) Sanitation is primarily a behavioral issue. It involves change of mindset amongst people to stop  open  defecation  and  to  adopt  safe  sanitation  practices.  The  Swachh  Bharat  Mission (Gramin) is also laying more focus on behaviour change and usage of toilets. The focus on capacity building has been increased. State level  workshops involving all the key stakeholders such as Collectors, CEO, Zilla Panchayats, Chairman Zilla Panchayats etc. have been  held  in  different  States.  The  Centre-State  coordination  has  been  increased  through increased visits to States, coordination meetings, and reviews.