Government Latrine Scheme in India

This blog will focus on government led latrine schemes, especially the Swachh Bharat Mission, its impact, challenges, and future prospects.

India, the secondmost populous country in the world, has long struggled with sanitation issues. For decades, poor access to proper toilets and sanitation facilities contributed to public health challenges, environmental degradation, and genderbased inequality.

The Government of India recognized this alarming issue and launched a series of schemes to tackle the problem headon. Among these, theSwachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched in 2014, stands as a landmark initiative aimed at providing universal access to toilets and promoting cleanliness across the country.

The Need for Latrine Schemes in India

For years, open defecation was a widespread practice in India, particularly in rural areas, due to the lack of access to proper sanitation facilities.

According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), open defecation contributes to various health issues such as diarrhea, malnutrition, stunted growth in children, and waterborne diseases.

Poor sanitation is directly linked to environmental contamination, particularly through the pollution of water sources.

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Key issues that necessitated government intervention:

1. Health Hazards: Open defecation contributes to the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery, posing a significant public health risk.

2. Gender Inequality: Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the lack of proper sanitation. Having to defecate in open fields poses a risk to their safety and dignity, especially at night.

3. Environmental Impact: Unchecked open defecation pollutes water bodies and the surrounding environment, threatening ecosystems and drinking water quality.

4. Economic Loss: Poor sanitation results in productivity loss due to disease and malnutrition, leading to a burden on the economy. According to a World Bank study, India loses around 6.4% of its GDP annually due to poor sanitation.

Swachh Bharat Mission A GameChanger

On October 2, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched theSwachh Bharat Mission (SBM), with the ambitious goal of making India free from open defecation by October 2, 2019. The mission aimed to build millions of toilets in rural and urban areas and raise awareness about the importance of sanitation and hygiene.

The mission was divided into two subcategories:

1.Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) – Focused on rural areas.

2.Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) – Targeted urban sanitation.

 Key Features of Swachh Bharat Mission:

Financial Assistance for Toilet Construction: Households without access to toilets were provided financial aid to build individual household latrines (IHHL). Under SBMGramin, families were given ₹12,000 to construct a toilet, including water storage facilities.

Community and Public Toilets: In densely populated areas where individual household toilets were not feasible, the government constructed community and public toilets. The maintenance of these toilets was often handed over to local communities or private entities.

Behavioral Change Campaigns: Besides providing toilets, the SBM emphasized the importance of behavioral change through various campaigns like “Darwaza Band” and public figures endorsing the cause. This was crucial for the success of the mission, as the mere construction of toilets would not suffice without widespread usage.

Solid and Liquid Waste Management: SBM also focused on promoting sustainable practices such as waste segregation, recycling, and scientific treatment of waste.

Involvement of NGOs and Private Sector: To ensure the successful implementation of the scheme, the government roped in NGOs, civil society organizations, and the private sector to create awareness and ensure proper maintenance of sanitation facilities.

Achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission

The government claims significant success through the Swachh Bharat Mission, particularly in eliminating open defecation and increasing toilet coverage in rural India.

1.Toilet Coverage: At the start of the mission in 2014, the rural sanitation coverage was only about 39%. By 2019, the government claimed that over 100 million toilets were built, and rural sanitation coverage reached nearly 100%.

2.Open Defecation Free (ODF) India: By October 2, 2019, the government declared India as open defecation free (ODF). However, this claim has been subject to scrutiny, with critics arguing that many areas still practice open defecation.

3.Behavioral Change: The success of SBM lies not just in building toilets but also in changing people’s behavior toward toilet usage. Campaigns led by celebrities and villagelevel programs have been somewhat successful in driving home the message that sanitation and hygiene are directly linked to public health.

4.Public Participation: SBM has witnessed a remarkable increase in public participation. Social movements in villages and towns showed that sanitation could be a communitydriven endeavor.

Challenges Faced by the Government Latrine Scheme

Despite the progress, the government latrine scheme has encountered multiple challenges that need to be addressed for sustainable success.

1.Quality of Construction: In many areas, the quality of toilets built was found to be substandard, with poor infrastructure, lack of water supply, and inadequate maintenance leading to disuse.

2.Behavioral Persistence: Changing deeprooted cultural practices like open defecation has been difficult. Some households continue to defecate in the open even after building toilets, either due to convenience or ingrained habits.

3.Lack of Water Supply: Toilets without a regular supply of water are of little use. Many villages in droughtprone areas or remote locations still struggle with water scarcity, affecting the usability of constructed latrines.

4.Maintenance of Community Toilets: Many community and public toilets face the challenge of poor maintenance and cleanliness, deterring people from using them.

5.Monitoring and Accountability: While millions of toilets have been built, there is a lack of robust monitoring to ensure that all toilets are functional and being used regularly.

Future Prospects and the Way Forward

While the Swachh Bharat Mission has achieved commendable success in raising awareness and providing sanitation infrastructure, there is a need for more concerted efforts to sustain the progress.

1.Focus on Sustainability: Building toilets is only the first step. Ensuring the sustainability of sanitation infrastructure through regular maintenance, availability of water, and proper waste disposal is crucial for the longterm success of the scheme.

2.Innovative Technology Solutions: The government should promote the use of environmentally friendly and costeffective toilet technologies, such as biotoilets, which require less water and are easier to maintain.

3.Strengthening Behavioral Change Campaigns: Continued efforts toward behavioral change are essential. Schools, community leaders, and social influencers should be engaged to educate people about the importance of hygiene and using toilets.

4.Addressing Urban Challenges: While the rural areas have seen significant progress, urban slums and densely populated areas still face challenges due to lack of space and resources. The focus needs to shift toward urban sanitation, particularly for marginalized communities.

5.Increased Private Sector Involvement: The private sector can play a crucial role in developing innovative solutions and maintaining public sanitation facilities. Publicprivate partnerships should be strengthened for efficient waste management and maintenance of public toilets.

 Conclusion

The government’s latrine schemes, particularly through the Swachh Bharat Mission, have been instrumental in addressing India’s longstanding sanitation issues. However, achieving and sustaining universal sanitation coverage is a continuous process that requires collaborative efforts from the government, private sector, and the public. With sustained investment, public awareness, and community engagement, India can move closer to its goal of ensuring dignity and cleanliness for all its citizens.

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