Question : World Bank Assistance

(a) whether the World Bank has committed to support rural leg of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) that intends to make the country open defecation free by 2019;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time by which the funds are likely to be released/reviewed from the amount committed by World Bank;

(d) the number of toilets proposed to be built in rural areas with the help of fund assistance from World Bank, State/UTwise; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to achieve the target of building toilets in rural areas and free the country from open defecation?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)
(a) to (d) A World Bank project to support the ongoing sanitation programme Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (SBM(G) is under consideration for the entire country with a financial envelope of US$1.5 billion(Rs.9000 core) over five years.


(e) Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), incentive for individual latrine has been increased by Rs. 2000 from Rs.10000 to Rs. 12000 for all the Below Poverty Line (BPL) households and identified Above Poverty Line (APL) households(SC/ST, Small and Marginal Farmers, Landless Labourers with Homestead, Physically Handicapped, Women-headed households) to provide for water availability, including for storing, hand-washing and cleaning 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.