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6th February 2024 (9 Topics)

A critical view of the ‘sanitation miracle’ in rural India

Context

Indian sanitation policy has undergone significant evolution over the past few decades, with initiatives like the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) and the Total Sanitation Campaign paving the way for more targeted approaches.

Evolution of sanitation initiatives

  • Groundwork: Initiatives like CRSP and the Total Sanitation Campaign laid the groundwork for India's sanitation policy, transitioning from high subsidy to demand-driven approaches.
  • Mission-driven approach: The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), launched in 2014, aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2019, marking a significant shift towards a mission-driven approach.
  • Persistent issues: Despite achieving remarkable milestones, such as reaching 100% sanitation coverage by 2019, India faces persistent challenges in ensuring behavioral change and equitable access to sanitation facilities.

Achievements:

  • Sanitation coverage increased from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019.
  • Under SBM-G, over 10 crore household toilets were constructed, contributing significantly to this achievement
  • Phase II of SBM-G focused on sustainability, emphasizing solid and liquid waste management and extending coverage to previously underserved households and ODF Plus status by 2024-25.

Challenges in Behavioral Patterns:

  • Structural issues: Despite improved coverage, the NSSO survey revealed that 4% of individuals with access to toilets did not use them, citing reasons such as structural issues, hygiene concerns, and personal preferences.
  • Social Norms: Upper caste-dominated villages showed unique sanitation network characteristics, influencing decision-making processes and behaviors related to sanitation practices.
  • Behaviour issues: Despite substantial investments, lack of coordination among programs undermines efficiency in achieving collective behavioral change.
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