Question : Swachh Bharat Cess

(a) the amount collected as Swachh Bharat Cess since its inception till date;
(b) whether there are financial constraints to take up sanitation programmes in the country and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to remove these constraints;
(c) the amount spent on sanitation programme in the country during each of the last three years and the current year; State-wise;
(d) whether the Government is spending adequate amount to ensure effective implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) in the country;
(e) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government in this
regard; and
(f) whether the Government is focusing on community approach wherein the people are directly impressed and made aware about the importance of sanitation and hygiene using effective methods, if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

(a) Total amount collected from Swachh Bharat Cess since inception to January, 2017 is Rs. 13036.23 crore.

(b) to (e) Under the SBM (G), incentives are given for the toilet construction. The incentive given is not a reimbursement of the construction cost which in most of the cases is much higher. Budget allocation in the past has been less than the financial projection made on the basis of Annual Plans submitted by the States. To meet the financial constraints, alternate sources like CSR funds, MGNREGS and convergence with other social sector schemes have been considered, apart from seeking additional Budgetary Support from the Government. State/UT-wise, Central share released under Sanitation Programmes during last 3 years and current year as per information uploaded by the States/UTs on the online Integrated Management Information System of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is at Annexure-1.

(f) The focus of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is on behaviour change of people to adopt safe sanitation and use toilet. In order to educate the people, the programme lays emphasis on community involvement. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), upto 5% of total resources can be spent on Information, Education and Communication(IEC) for State and District level. 3% of the resources can be used at the Central level for the same purpose. Further for creating awareness about sanitation and generating demand for sanitation facilities, including toilets, a Sanitation and Hygiene Advocacy and Communication Strategy Framework has been adopted by the Ministry for activities under Information, Education and Communication (IEC). States are preparing and implementing State and District level IEC Plans based on this strategy framework. Massive media campaigns have been started at National level using Audio Visual (TV) and Audio (Radio). States are also carrying out IEC campaign including interpersonal Communication (IPC). Also cleanliness campaigns are held at regular intervals.