Question : ODF Villages

(a) whether a large number of villagesin several districts have been certified as‘Open Defecation Free’ (ODF) across thecountry under the Swachh Bharat Mission(SBM);
(b) if so, whether any central teamhad visited any of the districts across thecountry to physically verify the claimsmade by the State Governmentsabout ‘ODF’ district/villages in the pastone year;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the number of districts across thecountry still remain ‘ODF’ and thesteps taken by the Union Governmentto effectively implement the SBM?

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

(a) As on 19.12.2017, 2,93,753 villages have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) andout of which 1, 81,771 villages have been verified for ODF.

(b) & (c)Yes, Madam. This Ministry has engaged National Level Monitors (NLMs). These NLMs have been deputed for field verification of ODF villages/Districts. Also, the officers from Ministry regularly visit to the States/Districts for random physical verification of ODF claims.

(d) 256 districts have been declared ODF as on 19.12.2017. Out of which 165 districts are verified for ODF. The following measures have been taken for effective implementation of programme :-
• Focus on behavior change: Community based collective behavior change has been mentioned as the preferred approach, although the States are free to choose the approach best suited to them. Focus is also on creation of complete open defecation free (ODF) villages, rather than only on construction of individual toilets. This entails triggering the entire village into changing their behavior.
• The programme provides flexibility to the States in the implementation. This is essential, given the vast socio-economic-cultural diversity of India, and also from the point of view of promoting innovations.
• There is a greater emphasis on capacity building, especially in community approaches and programme management. Lack of adequate capacities is a major challenge in scaling up the programme. Therefore, various initiatives are being taken to reach out to all the stakeholders. From the Government of India side, the States and select organizations (called Key Resource Centres) are being trained. These in turn are, carrying out trainings at the sub-State level. The key official at the district level-Collector-has been roped in the programme to provide leadership at the district level.
• The programme is being run as a janandolan with cooperation of all sections of the society including the NGOs, Corporates, youth etc. The Panchayats are being actively involved.
• ZilaSwachhataPreraks are being engaged for support of districts.