New Delhi: The toilet coverage in Odisha has reached around 85 per cent nearly four-and-half years after the launch of the central government’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), data accessed from the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation revealed.
According to the data, by the end of May 18, 2019, Odisha has been able to achieve 84.93 per cent of toilet construction during these years and that it is now inching towards 100 per cent sanitation coverage before October 2, 2019 under the SBM (Rural).
The ministry data claimed that eight districts from Odisha have 100 per cent toilet coverage. However, the overall performance of Odisha has been among the worst in the country due to some laggard districts, said sources.
According to the details, before the launch of SBM the state had only 9,47,825 toilets out of the 79,07,425 total households as identified by the mission project. The latest data claims that Odisha government would have to construct 11,91,534 toilets to meet the target of 100 per cent coverage.
Till now, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Kandhamal, Dhenkanal and Balasore have achieved 100 per cent toilet coverage. However, many districts like Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj and Bhadarak are showing slow progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
SBM (Rural) was launched October 2, 2014, with the goal to achieve universal sanitation coverage in rural areas by October 2, 2019. Financial incentive of Rs 12,000 is provided to the eligible beneficiaries for construction of individual household toilets as per the prescribed funding share pattern between the Centre and the states.