Defunct toilets in district, UNICEF, Maharashtra

Defunct toilets in : A Rapid Assessment

1. INTRODUCTION

Inadequate sanitation is a major cause of diseases and improving sanitation is known to have a significant beneficial impact on health of the people. ’s first national program to improve access to rural sanitation, the central rural sanitation program, was launched in 1986. Despite considerable investment, it failed to motivate and sustain rural sanitation as it was based on assumption that provision of sanitary facilities would lead to increased coverage and usage. Recognizing the limitations of his approach, Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) was launched in 1999. It moved away from the infrastructure focused approach and concentrated on behaviour change. The TSC gave a fillip to rural sanitation. The Total Sanitation Campaign is revised and renamed as the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan in 2012. The objective of NBA is to accelerate the sanitation coverage in the rural areas so as to comprehensively cover the rural community through renewed strategies and saturation approach. The program has created sanitation facilities in rural India. Maharashtra has performed relatively better in the implementation of TSC and access to household toilets improved from 18.2% in 2001 to 38.0% in 2011. 34% of all NGP GPs in the country, as at the end of 2011, are from the state. In Maharashtra, 33.1% of all the GPs are nirmal. However; dysfunctional toilets pose a major challenge in the full scale appreciation of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). The issue of dysfunctional toilets is to be perceived as a nation-wide phenomenon. In the NBA baseline survey data it was found that district had lowest percentage of defunct toilets (0.6%) where as district had highest percentage of defunct toilets (48.4%). The APL STs have the highest ratio of defunct toilets followed by all BPL households. APL households other than SC and ST had the least percentage of defunct toilets. The state needs to come out with a strategy for replacing or repairing the defunct toilets to make the areas declared as Nirmal to be truly ODF. The ST households have the highest incidence of defunct toilets, which needs special consideration. Not much data or analysis is available regarding the reasons and degrees of defunct toilets. Therefore it was felt necessary to know more about defunct toilets in detail. A study of defunct toilets was conducted in Chandrapur district to understand the spread, reasons and degree of dysfunction of the toilets.

2. METHODOLOGY

Firstly, the baseline data for NBA collected in 2012 was referred for district level analysis of defunct toilets. Only the villages selected under NBA AIP for 2013-14 were considered for the analysis. This data

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra was available for every block for all socio-economic categories of the households. This data could generate overall picture of the district in case of defunct toilets. However, the analysis regarding reasons and degree of defunct toilets could not be made from the above secondary data. For better understanding of the situation, detailed discussions with the villagers regarding the reasons for not using toilets was necessary. Therefore, a quick sample survey was planned in all 18 NBA villages from block of Chandrapur district. This basically focused on the reasons for not using toilets and the degree of defunctness. Five households from each village were visited, data was collected and discussions with the members of the house were conducted. The discussion points included present status of the toilet, reasons for not using the toilet and their opinion regarding rebuilding/ repairing the toilet and using it. Discussions with gramsevak/ sarpanch/ GP members were held to get a complete picture of defunct toilets in the village. The survey questionnaire is attached separately with this note. The results of the study are presented below.

3. STATUS OF DEFUNCT TOILETS IN CHANDRAPUR DISTRICT

3.1 SECONDARY DATA: The NBA baseline data collected in 2012 showed that in Chandrapur, there were 38,643households with toilets. Out of these, 9707 toilets were defunct because of various reasons. This was 25% of the total Block wise % HHs having defunct toilets households having toilets. So, one among every four 80% 76% toilets is generally defunct 70% in Chandrapur. 60% 55% 50% 50% 46% 40% 33% 3.1.1 Block wise 29% 29% 27% 30% 30% 25% variations: Many block 16% level variations are seen in 20% 11% 14% 9% 6% 10% 2% the district. The data 0% varies from 76% in Jivti to 2% in . Nine blocks out of 15 were above average – Jivti,

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra

Saoli, , Warora, , Gondpimpri, Bhadravati, and Brahmapuri. The remaining six blocks- Sindewahi, , Chandrapur, , Nagbhid and Mul. The tabular data regarding block wise variations is presented in annexure.

3.1.2 Socio-economic class wise variations: When we considered the socio economic classes of the households with defunct toilets, following issues were observed -

Socio-economic class wise % HHs having defunct The percentage of toilets households with defunct toilets to the total 36% 40% 33% households having toilets 35% 29% was more or less uniform 30% 23% 25% 25% 22% 21% 25% 18% in all the socio economic 20% 15% 15% 12% categories. The 10% percentage varies from 5% 0% 36% in BPL STs to 12% in APL others. Generally the

Total ratio of defunct toilets was

BPL-ST

APL-ST

BPL-SC

APL-SC Headed…

APL-Other seen more in all categories

BPL-Others

APL-Women handicapped

APL-Physically of BPL households. The

homestead

APL-Small & Marginal Farmers

APL-Landlesswith APL households were generally below the district average of 25% defunct toilets, except for APL physically handicapped households (29%). In case of both BPL and APL, ST households had more defunct toilets compared to SC households. The percentage of defunct toilets in APL women headed households was low (18%) as compared to other categories of APL households.

3.2 SAMPLE SURVEY FOR UNDERSTANDING DEGREE AND REASONS OF DYSFUNCTION: Under the survey of defunct toilets on sample basis, 18 villages (10% of NBA villages) from Warora block were visited. Five households from these 18 villages were visited to discuss the issue of dysfunction with the house owners. In all, 89 defunct toilets were visited from Warora block and details regarding the degree and reason of dysfunction were studied. 3.2.1 General information: Almost all these toilets are built under TSC except two of them which are built under Central Rural Sanitation program (1986-1999). If we consider the defunct toilets against the incentive structure under the government programs, we observe the following.

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra

Table 1: Year of toilet construction Year Government Incentives Number of Percentage Program provided for IHHL respondents with of construction (Rs.) defunct toilets respondents Up to 1999 CRSP 2200 2 2% 1999-2007 TSC 500 45 51% 2007-2010 TSC 1200 26 29% 2010-2011 TSC 2200 13 15% 2011-2012 TSC 3200 3 3% 2012 onwards NBA 9100 0 0% Total 89 100%

It can be seen that more than half of the defunct toilets were constructed when the TSC incentive for IHHL construction was the lowest at 500Rs.which was provided for the construction up to plinth level. It can be generally stated that within the low subsidy availed during this period; the beneficiaries were able to afford only poor infrastructural facilities using locally available cheap materials. It was expected that the family would additionally contribute its own funds to make good quality toilet construction, which was not done in many cases. This at that time was not the priority issue for most of the people. 3.2.2 Condition of toilets: Out of the total of 89 households, 84 households (94%) build toilets through government schemes; only 6% built toilets through their own fund. Out of total 89 respondents, (11%) stated that their toilet is completely damaged and will need complete reconstruction. The remaining 79 respondents (89%) said that their toilet needed minor repairs and can be brought in use after minor works. Condition of the toilet 0% From the above data, we can state that repairs of the toilets need to be focused first to bring down 11% the maximum number of defunct toilets. When we further enquired about the part of toilet 89% which needs repairs, we got the following response.

Need reconstruction Need minor repairs

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra

Table 2: Part of toilet which needed repairs Sr. Part of toilet which Number of Percentage of No. needed repairs respondents respondents (multiple responses) Toilet 53 67% 1 Superstructure 2 Soak pit 30 38% 3 toilet pan 32 41% 4 Door 66 84% 5 Ceiling 57 72%

Highest number of respondents stated that the door and ceiling of the toilet needed repairs. From the above data, we can state that most of the times the superstructure is damaged and the toilet pan and soak pits are comparatively more functional. 3.2.3 Reasons for dysfunction There can be various reasons of the toilet being defunct. It can be technical inappropriateness, it can be psychological and social reason or it can be other practicalities like water scarcity. When we probed into the reasons for the defunct toilets in sample households, we observed that incomplete construction was the major reasons for the toilet not being used.

Table 3: Reasons for dysfunction of toilets in sample households

Sr. Reason for dysfunction of toilets in No. of % of total No. sample 89 households respondents defunct toilets 1 Defunct due to scarcity of water 2 2% 2 Technically incorrect construction 17 19% 3 No psychology of using the toilets 19 21% 4 Incomplete construction 65 73%

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra

Reasons for dysfunction of toilets in sample It is clear from the above data that after the incentives were 2% households distributed within the Defunct due to beneficiaries, proper monitoring of 19% scarcity of water whether the toilet was completely Technically incorrect constructed and whether it was construction technically appropriate was not 21% No psychology of done properly. Proper monitoring 73% using the toilets of the toilets during construction Incomplete needs to be ensured for reducing construction the number of defunct toilets in future. 3.2.4 Village Level data During the survey, the data regarding overall status of the defunct toilets in the sample villages was also collected from the Gramsevak. The data reflects that in the 18 villages, 985 toilets are defunct. Out of these, 851 (86%) toilets are defunct because of incomplete construction, 104 (11%) toilets are not in use because of technically incorrect construction. Table 4: Reason for dysfunction of toilets in sample villages Sr. Reason for dysfunction of toilets Warora % of total No. NBA defunct villages toilets 1 Total No. of defunct toilets 985 2 Defunct due to scarcity of water 6 1% 3 Technically incorrect construction 104 11% 4 No psychology of using the toilets 24 2% 5 Incomplete construction 851 86%

Warora NBA villages 1% Defunct due to scarcity 11% 2% of water

Technically incorrect construction

No mentality to use toilets

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra

It can be observed from the above table that the reasons like water scarcity and awareness are less important and technical reasons and incomplete construction were the most important reasons for dysfunction. The emphasis of the toilet construction campaign should be more on technical and financial support along with awareness generation. Almost all the sample respondents stated that they expected the government to provide support for reconstruction/ repairs of the defunct toilets. 3.3 CONCLUSIONS From the above analysis we derive the following conclusions:  One among every four toilets is generally defunct in Chandrapur. Generally the ratio of defunct toilets was seen more in all categories of BPL households. In case of both BPL and APL, ST households had more defunct toilets compared to SC households.  Out of the 89 sample households, more than half of the defunct toilets were constructed when the TSC incentive for IHHL construction was the lowest at 500Rs.  89% respondents said that their toilet needed minor repairs and can be brought in use after minor repair works. In most of these cases, the superstructure was damaged and the toilet pan and soak pits were comparatively more functional. Hence defunct does not always necessarily mean that toilet cannot be in use.  Incomplete construction and technical inappropriateness were the major reasons for the toilet not being used. 3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS To fulfil the NBA goal of ‘Nirmal bharat’, the defunct toilets need to be focused and policy decisions are needed from the government to bring the defunct toilets back in use. From the study, we can make few recommendations for reducing the ratio and number of defunct toilets.

 Policy decisions are required for bringing the defunct toilets back in use. Policy measures are specially needed for the defunct toilets which were constructed with low subsidy. Convergence with MREGS for reconstruction/ repair of defunct toilets may be considered.  Minor repairs of the toilets especially of the superstructures need to be focused first to bring down the maximum number of defunct toilets.  Proper monitoring of the toilets during construction -whether the toilet is completely constructed and whether it is technically appropriate -needs to be ensured under NBA for reducing the number of defunct toilets in future. A concept of completion certificate by sarpanch for each toilet can be introduced.

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra

Annexure 1

Block wise and socio-economic class wise data of defunct toilets in Chandrapur district

Socio-

economic

Mul Jivti

Saoli

Rajura

Chimur Warora

class Nagbhid

Ballarpur

Korapana

Gondpipri

Sindewahi

Bhadrawati

Pombhurna

Chandrapur 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

BPL-SC 45% 26% 14% 8% 19% 32% 14% 0% 48% 16% 17% 43% 0% 56% 53% BPL-ST 45% 49% 20% 18% 30% 46% 71% 18% 63% 38% 21% 50% 0% 74% 54% BPL-Others 57% 44% 21% 12% 15% 51% 44% 0% 59% 13% 18% 37% 0% 79% 60% APL-SC 16% 20% 32% 12% 3% 10% 24% 0% 24% 4% 9% 25% 9% 81% 47% APL-ST 20% 23% 43% 20% 11% 18% 73% 0% 36% 17% 10% 34% 0% 85% 39% APL-Small & Marginal 18% 41% 44% 13% 5% 22% 60% 3% 38% 14% 7% 7% 0% 88% 58% Farmers APL-Landless with 10% 24% 25% 3% 10% 28% 26% 7% 44% 13% 10% 31% 0% 92% 59% homestead APL-Physically 0% 0% 73% 0% 0% 25% _ 0% 0% 2% 43% 14% 0% _ 90% handicapped APL-Women Headed 5% 42% 25% 2% 12% 22% 42% 0% 31% 9% 5% 63% 13% 75% 33% Households APL-Other 6% 13% 7% 5% 3% 4% 58% 8% 23% 4% 17% 12% 8% 61% 45% Total 29% 29% 27% 11% 9% 30% 50% 6% 46% 16% 14% 33% 2% 76% 55%

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Defunct toilets in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra UNICEF, Maharashtra

Annexure 2 Questionnaire for the sample survey in Warora Block

Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan Survey of households having a toilet but not using it

A. General Information 1. Name of the village: ------2. Block: ------3. District: ------4. Name of head of the family: ------

B. Present status of the defunct toilet (Pl. tick the appropriate option) 1. Year of toilet construction:------2. Funding for toilet construction: a. Own funds ------b. Government schemes ------c. Other ------3. The toilet is completely damaged 4. The toilet needs minor repairs 5. If the toilet needs minor repairs, the part of toilet which needed repairs a. Toilet Room b. Soak pit c. Toilet pan d. Door e. Ceiling f. Other: ------

C. Reasons for not using the toilets 1. Defunct due to scarcity of water 2. Technically incorrect construction 3. No psychologyof using the toilets 4. Incomplete construction 5. Other: ------

D. The family’s opinion regarding construction/ repair and use of toilet: ------

Name of the surveyor: ------Date: ------Signature:

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