Impact of toilet construction subsidy on the practice of open defecation
Student name: Ms Navjyoti Ranawat
Guide: Dr Papiya Guha Mazumdar
Year of completion: 2016
Host Organisation: Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, Mumbai
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Ms Anita Miya
Abstract: Despite several programmes being launched since 1980’s to increase sanitation
coverage and use of sanitary facilities, the improved sanitation coverage in India
stands at 36% and open defecation rate is at 48% (597 million) (JMP , 2014)
with wide variation between rural and urban India.
In light of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) being launched with a massive
Investment of INR 2 lakh crore, the current study analyzed the policies and
Programmes in sanitation sector of India and also reviewed the successful case
of reducing open–defecation to single digits in Bangladesh from more than 30%
at the beginning of 1990’s.
The key findings of the study for impact of toilet subsidy on the practice of open defecation
are that even with toilets, open defecation cannot be completely eradicated until and unless
people have a deep understanding of the health implications of open defecation.Subsidies
appeared to be one of the motivating factors for building toilets but was not the only factor
that motivated construction of toilets. For people with toilets major motivations were also
women's safety and comfort for the elderly, while health benefits was not observed as a
motivational factor by majority of respondents.
Few recommendations for the study includes, improving technical assistance for construction
of toilets for the rural areas and strengthening EIC activities, People need to be aware about
the ill effects of Open Defecation and health benefits of toilets to completely eradicate open
defecation.
