Question : Assistance for Toilets

(a) whether the Union Government wasrequested during the last one year byorganisations such as Sulabh International Social Service Organisation to increase theamount of financial assistance given to grampanchayats to build toilets;

(b) if so, the details thereof and thereaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the assistance provided toGram Panchayats for construction of a toiletis not sufficient for constructing a goodquality of toilet and if so, the steps takenby the Government in this regard;

(d) whether the Government has takenany steps to monitor and verify the qualityof the toilets that are being built under Swachh Bharat Mission; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

(a) to (c) The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (SBM(G)) is to be implemented as a Janandolan with participation of all sections of society and focusing on behaviour change of the community to adopt safe sanitation practices. It is not a supply driven toilet construction programme. Nevertheless, under SBM(G), the incentive to eligible beneficiaries for construction of toilet was increased from Rs. 10000 to Rs. 12000 with effect from 2nd October, 2014.ThisRs. 12,000 per toilet is not a reimbursement of the cost of the toilet, which may be lower or higher than this incentive amount, depending upon several factors. This is only an incentive amount to be paid to the household for stopping open defecation.

(d) and (e) The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has a comprehensive system of monitoring the implementation of the programme.The programmedata,upto household level isavailable in the public domain through theonline Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of SBM(G). A Mobile application for uploading photographs of toilets constructed after 2.10.2014 has also been developed. This is supplemented through review of theprogramme through regular meetings with the States, video conferencing and visits to the States by officials of the Ministry. Third party evaluation is also carried out. A mobile application called Swachchapp also allows any citizen to view and rate the progress made under SBM(G) in any part of the country right upto the household level.