The Urban Development Ministry’s move to dole out Rs4,000 to every household as an incentive for construction of toilets in individual households under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project Swachchh Bharat Mission (SBM) has failed to impress the States. Citing it as inadequate amount, the States have sought higher incentive of Rs9,000, as is being offered currently by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry under the Mission for building individual household latrines (IHHl) in the rural areas.
The Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry has a provision of incentives for the construction of IHHl of Rs12000, including central share of Rs9,000 (Rs10,800 in case of special category States) and State share of Rs3,000 (Rs1200.00 in case of special category States) to all BPl households and to identified Above Poverty line (APl) households.
However, the UD Ministry is yet to take a decision on the States’ demand for more than double the incentive being provided at present as it is likely to have huge financial implication on the exchequer. The SBM in urban areas targets construction of 1.04 crore individual household toilets by 2019.
Sources said, during their meeting with the Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, representatives of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation conveyed that the incentive of Rs4,000 was emerging as a major hindrance in successful implementation of the mission. The UD Ministry and the Foundation have agreed on a partnership to promote user friendly toilets to ensure universal sanitation in the country.