Question : ODF Villages

(a) the total number of villages declared as Open Defecation Free (ODF), State/UT-wise;

(b) whether any mechanism exists for proper disposal of human excreta collected in the toilets in those ODF villages and if so, the number of villages where such provisions have been made;

(c) the number of those villages which still lack proper disposal system;

(d) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government for safe disposal of human excreta from ODF villages in the country; and

(e) whether the Government is aware of non-availability/shortage of water supply and also poor maintenance of toilets constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission and if so, the details thereof along with corrective action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)



(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.















Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *2 for 02.02.2017

(a) The total number of villages declared as Open Defecation Free as on 27.1.2017, State/UT wise, as per the information uploaded by the States/Districts on the Integrated Management Information System of Swachh Bharat MIssion (Gramin) is at Annexure I.
(b) to (d) Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), measures are taken to prevent open defecation and to provide safe disposal of human excreta. One of the most prevalent ways of doing this is through on-site toilet technologies such as twin-leach pit that do not require underground sewerage system and are much cheaper and equally effective. These toilets are like “individual sewage treatment plants”. This choice of technology lies with the end-user, as long as it ensures safe disposal of human excreta. The term open defecation free has been defined to include the parameter of safe disposal of human excreta. ODF Verification guidelines have also been issued, as per which the States are to verify the aspect of safe disposal as part of ODF achievement.
(e) Sanitation is primarily a behavioural change issue. The focus of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is on behaviour change of people to construct, use and maintain toilets. The programme lays emphasis on community involvement and mass mobilization to achieve ODF communities. To ensure adequate availability of water for toilets, under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the incentive for individual toilet has been increased from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000, to provide for water availability, including for storing water for hand-washing and cleaning. As per Government’s policy, conjoint programmes of sanitation and water are to be prioritized, with ODF villages being given priority for providing piped water supply so as to maximize the availability of water for sanitation purposes. The maintenance of individual household toilets under SBM(G) is to be done by the household themselves, which is promoted during all Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns. Up to 8% of total SBM resources can be spent on IEC. Proper maintenance has a direct correlation with usage, and as per the Swachhata Status Report 2015, published by National Sample Survey Office, in rural India, out of the households having sanitary toilet, percentage of persons using toilet was found to be as high as 95.6%.