Addressing the issue of behavioural change with utmost priority in rural pockets of Jharkhand for ensuring construction of toilets under Swacch Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation is utilising Information, Education and Communication (IEC) techniques to create awareness. Predominately bringing women and children into forefront, the department has focused on training women masons in huge numbers while engaging abundant Self Help Groups (SHGs) in this ambitious scheme.
During a State level workshop on SBM-G here on Monday, Department of Water and Sanitation, Secretary, Aradhana Patnaik, said, “The department’s motto is not just confined to constructing of toilets. Through different awareness campaigns, the department is also committed to change the mindsets of rural populace while ensuring proper use of toilets.”
The department has demarcated two days in a month for spreading awareness on SBM project through tools like organizing ‘Swacch Sabhas’ on 2nd of every month whereas 19th of each month has been reserved for ‘Swacchta Diwas’ for sensitizing school children and Anganwadi kids. On each ‘Swacchta Diwas’, the main exercise of schools will be to impart lessons on sanitation among kids focusing on significance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages, personnel hygiene etc categorized under ODF+ grouping.
To shatter the myths associated with toilets construction, the department has geared up to actively involve spiritual leaders (Dharm Gurus) for triggering the minds of village dwellers under orientation of faith based triggering concept. In addition, exposure visit is being planned for inspiring an individual associated with this project. Sandhya Chaupal and morning follow-ups are being done at blocks and panchayats to enlighten public on construction and usage of toilets.
Taking into account, the data of Department of Water and Sanitation, as many as 700 panchayats have been verified under defined factors of ODF. By far, 1300 Gram Panchayats have been declared ODF. Removing slip-back and other technical glitches, around 3.50 lakh toilets must be constructed more in State to attain the ODF tag. Over 20.89 lakh toilets have been constructed across Jharkhand ever since the launch of SBM. Meanwhile, out of 1.15 lakh SHGs tagged with different villages, so far, 60 thousand SHGs have been engaged in the project.
According to the record, Ramgarh, lohardaga and Koderma are declared ODF. Hazaribagh, Khunti, latehar and Jamtara districts will be soon confirmed ODF tag. As per the department officials, 70 percent target has been achieved in toilets construction while rest 30 percent gap is accepted to get filled on or before the prescribed deadline. Merely 29 percent toilets were constructed earlier ever since this scheme took a pace.
During the State level workshop, the officials from department including UNICEF personnel clarified that Rs. 12,000 given at a time by the government is just an incentive for the beneficiaries, the cost of constructing toilet can defer. Besides this, the government will also give incentive amount to the beneficiaries whose name is not included in the baseline survey due to some technical error; however para-teachers including those having a sufficient annual income have been kept out of this incentive matter.
Clarifying stance on methodology of lavatory construction in rural pockets that involves leach pit technique concerning twin-pin and off-pit technology, the experts said that the technique is not merely cost-effective but also preserves water in good quantity. The officials present on the occasion stated that after ensuring proper construction of toilets, in second phase, focus will be on linking toilets with pipeline water supply. Through colour code stickers and other check-lists, quality of constructed toilets is being assessed.
Director IPRD, Ramlakhan Gupta, Director SBM-G Rakesh Sharma, UNICEF State Head, Madhulika Jonathan, WASH Specialist Kumar Premchand along with community members who have successfully constructed lavatories at their respective areas were present during the workshop.