Swachchata Andolan gaining momentum

Incentive hiked for families opting for construction of toilets

The toilets have been constructed under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Generation Scheme (MGNREGS). The incentive amount has also been increased for the BPL families who have opted for the toilet to be constructed.

As per the roadmap issued by the Central Government, Swachchata Andolana has been implemented in the district as well. However, about 45 per cent target has been achieved since 2005 after the directive was issued  by the government. Andolana had less takers initially when the scheme was launched.

While encouraging response was seen since the last two years, the overall progress of the scheme has been just 45 per cent. And, the total number of village panchayats that have been conferred with Nirmala Puraskar has been a mere one. Only BPL families are entitled for incentives when they construct toilets within the premises of their residences -- the amount which was  ` 2200 earlier, has been increased to ` 3,700 lately, with state government covering the rest of the expenses.

As per the central government, now toilets can be constructed under MGNREGS scheme too, and this has acted as a boon for APL families. Individuals can be hired for jobs such as digging the pits       and laying the pipes etc, among others.

If the soil is soft and loose, there is an opportunity for a total of 19 days of human work and  ` 2,375 would be paid. And at places where soil is hard, 21 human days of work can be given with a payment of ` 2,625 being paid.

The BPL families can claim ` 3,700 as incentive, under job guarantee scheme. Total number of BPL families in the district is 1,10,188 and out of this, 46,000 families have constructed toilets. Target has been fixed for 28,797 APL families which are yet to construct a toilet at their residences.

Among 871 anganwadis, toilets have been constructed at 846 centres and among schools, toilets have been constructed in 266, out of 269 in all.