(a) the details of the States which were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF)during 2016;
(b) the details of the districts which were declared as ODF during 2016, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government has fixed any targets to make Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand open defecation free and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to make Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin a success within a definite time period?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)
(a) Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) during 2016;
(b) State/UT-wise, number of districts which have been declared ODF as on 31.12.2016 is at Annexure-1.
(c) States of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have fixed target for ODF by 31.12.2017, 31.8.2019 and 31.3.2019 respectively.
(d) To make Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin a success within a definite time period, the following steps have been taken:-
• Focus on behavior change: Community based collective behavior change has been mentioned as the preferred approach. Focus is also on creation of complete open defecation free (ODF) villages.
• The programme provides flexibility to the States in the implementation. This is essential, given the vast socio-economic-cultural diversity of India.
• There is a greater emphasis on capacity building, especially in community approaches and programme management. More than 530 Collectors from across the country have been trained. In order to provide exposure to officers at their entry level itself, a training module has been developed for LBSNAA, Mussoorie. The IAS and other Group A probationers are being given training for better implementation of SBM(G), including ‘triggering’ behavior change in communities.
• 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.
• There is an emphasis on streamlining administrative and financial procedures, both to cut down on time, as well as to increase accountability.
• Innovations in technology is being promoted at the National and State levels. There is a National Committee under Prof. R.A.Mashelkar that examines all new technologies from the point of view of safety and feasibility.
• Sanitation is being prioritized amongst the overall development agenda. The Government has taken a decision to prioritise all Centrally Sponsored Schemes in ODF villages.
• Monitoring and Evaluation has also been strengthened. The IMIS has data up to household level, with provision to capture geo-tagged photographs of toilets. A Swachhta App has been developed that provides online information on sanitation status up to household level.