Hindustan Times (Amritsar)

Not so swachh

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Manual scavenging is prohibited in the country but, with more than one lakh ‘safai karamchari­s’, govt data does not seem to complement reality

11,10,24,917

homes without toilets in India, according to the Baseline Survey, 2012

~19,134 crore

spent on SBM (Gramin) by the centre from October 2, 2014 to March 2, 2017 for constructi­on of 3.49 crore latrines

~12,000

the amount with which beneficiar­ies are incentivis­ed under SBM (Gramin). 60% money is provided by the Centre and 40% by the state

MANUAL SCAVENGERS

The Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 puts the  number of manual scavengers in India at 1.68 lakhs

Under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and  Constructi­on of Dry Latrines (Prohibitio­n) Act, 1993 offences are cognizable

For employing scavengers or constructi­ng dry (non-flush)  latrines can invite imprisonme­nt up to one year and/or a fine of 12,000

FINDINGS OF SURVEY ON SBM

Tracked households which had built a toilet in the last 2  years according to the SBM-MIS. As many as 1/3rd households reported to have a toilet, didn’t have one

Despite an ad blitzkrieg through billboards and TV  commercial­s, awareness about the scheme was missing. Only 60% of households that requested for financial assistance received it and the main reason for a large section not placing request was lack of awareness

Only 6% of the households were aware of Swachhta  Doots and only 10% reported any awareness programmes on sanitation conducted in their village

 ?? MUJEEB FARUQUI/HT ?? A manual scavenger is engaged by a contractor in  the Sagar Cantonment, MP.
MUJEEB FARUQUI/HT A manual scavenger is engaged by a contractor in  the Sagar Cantonment, MP.

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