Question : Toilet Facilities for SC Households

(a) whether the Union Government areaware of the fact that out of 33.9 per cent Scheduled Caste (SC) households only 22.8per cent households in rural areas are having toilet within their living premises;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor and thesteps taken by the Government to ensuresuch facilities to all SC households;
(c) whether the Government is aware that only 35 per cent of SC households arehaving drinking water sources within their living premises; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor and the steps taken/being taken by the Union Government to ensure drinking water to a llSC households?

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

(a) As per Census 2011, 22.8 per cent households in rural areas were having toilet within their living premises. However, as per Baseline Survey2012-13 conducted by the States, sanitation coverage in SC households was 38.3 %.This has been increased to 55.16 % as on 13.12.2016, as per the information uploaded by the States on the online Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).

(b) Sanitation is a behavioral issue. It involves change of mindset amongst people to stop open defecation and to adopt safe sanitation practices. The following steps have been taken to ensure toilet facilities to all SC households :-
• Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), 22% of total funds are allocated toward Schedule Caste Sub Plan (SCSP each year.
• Provision of incentives for construction of Individual household latrines have been made for Below Poverty Line (BPL) households as well as Above Poverty Line (APL) households belonging to Schedule Caste category
• Priority is given to SC dominated habitations
(c) and (d) As regards National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), as per the data entered by the States in Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of this Ministry, households connection of drinking water in general is 15.10%. However, this Ministry does not monitor the availability of drinking water sources within their living premises of SC households separately.
For increasing the coverage of safe drinking water supply to rural population, this Ministry supports the States through NRDWP and while allocating the funds under this, 22% funds is earmarked for SC dominated habitations. However, taking households connection is voluntarily in nature and for encouraging the same, the Ministry has advised States to go for extensive Information Education & Communication (IEC).