(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news item appeared
in the Hindi daily `Hindustan` dated June 16, 2004 under the caption `Desh Ki
Adikansh Aabadi Shauchalaya Suvidhaon Se Vanchit`;
(b) if so, the facts thereof;
(c) whether the Government has fixed any time limit to provide toilet facilities in the
rural areas of the country ; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI A. NARENDRA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. As per findings of Census 2001, only about 22% of rural
population had access to basic sanitation.
(b)& (d) In order to accelerate the rural sanitation coverage, Government of India has
launched the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) project. At present, these projects have
been sanctioned in 398 districts of the country. In addition, Rs.10 lakh each have been
sanctioned to 130 more districts to conduct baseline survey and prepare TSC project
reports. Government of India has also launched an incentive scheme called `Nirmal
Gram Puraskar` to reward the Panchayati Raj Institutions, which attain full sanitation
coverage. It is proposed to extend the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) projects to all the
districts by the end of the Xth Plan.