(a) whether the Government has recently announced a time-bound programme for construction of toilets for all the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether all the BPL households in West Bengal have been provided toilets under the programme;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the time by which these households in the State would be provided toilets?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)
(a) The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) {SBM-G} has been launched on 2nd October, 2014. The SBM (G) aims at attaining Swachh Bharat by 2nd October, 2019 by accelerating sanitation coverage in the rural areas. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) {SBM(G)}, there is a provision for providing an incentive of Rs. 12,000 for the construction of Individual household latrine (IHHL) to all Below poverty Line (BPL) households and to identified Above Poverty Line (APL) households (all SCs /STs, small and marginal farmers, landless labourers with homestead, physically handicapped and women-headed households).
(b) and (c) As per Baseline Survey conducted in 2012-13, 32,05,358 Below Poverty Line (BPL) households were without toilets in West Bengal. After Baseline Survey in 2012-13, 14,43,904 Individual household latrines have been constructed for BPLs in West Bengal. As on 1.4.2016, 17,61,454 BPL households are without toilets in West Bengal. Sanitation is a behavioral issue. It involves change of mindset amongst people to stop open defecation and to adopt safe sanitation practices.
(d) By 2nd October, 2019 all households including BPL households in rural areas of Country including West Bengal will be provided toilets.