(a) the number and percentage of households in the country with toilet facilities, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether it is a fact that despite having toilets, people do not use them and prefer to defecate in the open, if so, the percentage/ number of such households indicating the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to change the mindset of the people and encourage them to use toilets? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)
(a) Based on the data of coverage given by the States on the IMIS of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)[SBM-G], State/UT-wise, number and percentage of rural households with toilet facility as on 7-12-2015 is at Annexure-1.
State/UT-wise, number and percentage of urban households with toilet facility as per Census 2011 is at Annexure-2.
(b) It cannot be said generally that despite having toilets, people do not use them and prefer to defecate in the open; although this may be true for small percentage; especially for men. The reasons for non-usage can be multiple and include lack of behavior change, poor construction of toilet etc.The percentage of households having access to latrine but not using it was only 1.7% as per National Sample Survey Report 2012.
(c) The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has been launched on 2nd October, 2014, which aims at attaining Swachh Bharat by 2nd October 2019. The Swachh Bharat Mission is also laying more focus on behaviour change and usage of toilets. The focus on capacity building has been increased, since there is a need to improve skills, especially those pertaining to community processes and triggering for collective behaviour change. In order to expand these skills and train the key stakeholders, State level workshops involving all the key stakeholders such as Collectors, CEO, Zilla Panchayats, Chairmen Zilla Panchayats etc. are being held in different States. Regional workshops to cross-share learning amongst different States are also being held. The Government of India has also undertaken direct training of Collectors and more than 200 district Collectors from across India have been trained so far.The Centre-State coordination has been increased through increased visits to States, coordination meetings, and reviews. There is also a renewed focus on IEC and a 360 degree media campaign is being envisaged to further boost it. The social media – twitter (@swachbharat), Facebook (Swachh Bharat Mission) and WhatsApp/HIKE - are being extensively used for sharing innovative ideas and cross learning. A National Rapid Action and Learning Unit has been constituted to institutionalise learning from the field and provide quick feedback. The technology aspect is also being focussed and an expert committee under Dr R.A. Mashelkar has been constituted to examine new innovations; and exhibitions are organised to spread these technologies amongst the States and other stakeholders.
As per the guidelines of SBM-Urban,
1. IEC and public awareness is one of the components under which the key strategy is behavior change communication to ensure that sanitation as an issue and covers issues of open defecation, prevention of manual scavenging, hygiene practices, proper use and maintenance of toilet facilities etc.
2. There is a High Powered Committee (HPC) at State level under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary which reviews the progress of capacity building, IEC and public awareness activities. HPC also approves the annual action of these activities.
3. At ULB level, SBM is envisaged as People’s movement (Jana Andolan) for ensuring hygiene and sanitation across the country. It is therefore essential that ULBs elicit the active participation of Ward Committees, Areas Sabhas, Resident Welfare Associations, NGOs and Civil Society Groups. |
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