Despite the publicity and hype around it, the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)’ programme is yet to penetrate rural areas of Odisha in an effective manner.
This was highlighted by a recent sample survey and physical verification made by an organisation, Youth for Social Development, in Ganjam, the home district of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. As per the survey, only 44% of the rural populace in Ganjam district is aware of the mission. Among those who know about it, 37% are not satisfied with the progress of the programme.
“This low level of awareness is a major obstacle in the path of this programme. The information from Ganjam district hints that awareness level may be lower in underdeveloped tribal districts of the State,” said Bibhu Prasad Sahu of YSD.
This sample survey and physical verification by YSD covered 1,969 households, 61 schools, 77 anganwadi centres, 15 healthcare centres in 20 panchayats of 10 blocks in Ganjam district. The findings were discussed with the administration at a workshop attended by Ganjam district officials.
Construction of toilets is a major element of the Swachh Bharat Mission. During the survey, 80% of the respondents who had toilets built at home under the scheme claimed that they were using them. But physical verification by the surveyors hinted that only 51% of the toilets were being used regularly.
Bribes paid
The survey also brought to the fore the delay in letters of permission and release of incentives for construction of toilets.
Around 20% respondents alleged that they had to pay bribe to get them.
The quality of toilet construction, where contractors or NGOs were hired to build them, was found to be low leading to low level of usage and dissatisfaction of beneficiaries.
The survey also found that in around 15% high schools in Ganjam district, students were not being allowed to use the toilets. Most schools did not have facilities for menstruating girls.
Over 50% anganwadi centres had toilets but availability of water and hand-washing facility was poor. The officials accepted that there were no toilets for children with special needs.
Most public institutions in the district had toilets but only around 70% were functional. Availability of urinals was found to be too low at public institutions.
Though drinking water was adequately available in government offices, very few of their toilets had proper water facility.