Lok Sabha Question No. 801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-21
Subject: Swachh Bharat Mission–Gramin
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.801 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2019

## Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin

## 801. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Swachh Bharat Mission- Gramin (SBM-G) 2014-19 that aimed to achieve an 'Open-Defecation Free' (ODF) rural India by constructing millions of toilets and monitoring efficient toilet use has met its objectives;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether most  of the built toilets are  completely functional  and have maintained  water  supply  structures  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has proposed any plans for tackling water and soil pollution  and  management  of  excreta  for  sustainable  sanitation  and  if  so,  the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

- (a)  to  (b)  The  Government  had  launched  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  (Gramin) [SBM(G)]  with  effect  from  2nd  October,  2014  with  the  aim  to  attain  Open Defecation  Free (ODF) status  in the  rural  areas  of  the  country  by  2nd  October, 2019 by providing access to toilet facilities to all rural households in the country. As  per  the  data  reported  by  the  States  on  the  Online  Integrated  Management

Information  System  of  SBM(G),  sanitation  coverage  in  the  rural  areas  of  the country  which  was  38.7%  on  2.10.2014  has  increased  to  100%  and  all  the 5,99,963 villages of the country have already declared themselves as ODF.

(c) The SBM(G) promotes the twin-pit toilet  system with a steep slope  rural pan. This toilet requires only about 1.5-2 litres of water to flush the fecal material, meaning that adequate water is available.  Further, the incentive for IHHL under SBM(G) was increased from Rs.10,000 to Rs.12,000 for ensuring water storage facility in the toilet for hand-washing and cleaning. As per National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS) conducted in 2018-19, 96.5 of the households having access to toilet use them regularly. Also as per Swachchata Status Report 2016 of National Sample Survey Office, 93.9% households having access to water for use in  toilets  out  of  the  households  having  toilets.  Additionally,  the  Government  of India has also launched   Jal   Jeevan   Mission  (JJM)   recently   which   aims   at providing Functional Household Tap Connection to every rural household.

(d) Under SBM(G), construction of twin-pit toilet is promoted, which   is   a   safe and   eco-friendly   onsite   sanitation technology.   Under   this   technology, human   faeces   are   automatically converted into organic manure in less than one  year.  The  Department  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation  had  also  issued  a technical handbook suggesting specifications for a safely built toilet which interalia provides size of toilet pits, distance of the toilet from a water sources etc. to prevent ground and surface water pollution.

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