In a boost to making rural India free from open defecation, the Centre has increased the grant for construction of per toilet under the Total Sanitation Campaign from Rs 4,600 to Rs 10,000. The increase is in line with realistic estimates of construction, with many states complaining that grants were inadequate. The Cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) cleared the rural development ministry’s proposal, though with PM Manmohan Singh weighing in with directions for strict monitoring of the use of funds.Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh said, “You can construct a toilet in Rs 10,000. Those made earlier (with lesser funds) have turned into storerooms.” The campaign has kept a target of 10 years for making the country free of open defecation.
The sanitation campaign, rechristened Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, aims to promote use of toilets in the countryside to cut down open defecation that is linked to lack of hygiene. About 65% of Indians defecate in the open.
The sanitation campaign, rechristened Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, aims to promote use of toilets in the countryside to cut down open defecation that is linked to lack of hygiene. About 65% of Indians defecate in the open.
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