(a) whether only 30.7% of the villages have been declared to be Open Defecation Free (ODF) in Telangana upto December 1, 2017;
(b) if so, the reasons for the slow progress of eliminating open defecation in Telangana; and
(c) the details of the funds sought by the Government of Telangana under the Swachh Bharat Mission and the funds released to that State during each of the last three years and the current year?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)
(a) and (b) Yes, Madam. Sanitation is mainly a behavioral issue. It involves change of mindset of people to stop open defecation and to adopt safe sanitation practices. However, recently good progress have been registered in Telangana and 45.8% villages have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) as on 30.7.2018. Also, sanitation coverage in the State, which was 27.45% as on 2.10.2014, has now increased to 87.28%.
(c) Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is a demand driven scheme, hence the funds are released to the States/UTs considering the projections in their Annual Implementation Plans (AIPs), performance made, unspent balance available with them, and the overall availability of funds under the programme. The details of funds released to Telangana during the last three years and the current year are as under :-
Year Funds released (Rs. in crore)
2015-16 128.39
2016-17 135.72
2017-18 481.94
2018-19 (upto 30.7.2018) 515.05