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toILEt CovERAGE

         In June 2017: 52.29%
         In March 2018: 79.52%



       the 350-odd women self help groups (SHGs)
       that were entrusted with building toilets
       for the villagers. These operated as part of
       the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion
       Society (JSLPS) and were funded by the state
       government.
           But they too faced problems with timely
       disbursement of the allocated money. Apart
       from the district HQ, banking options are very
       limited in the district. Sandeep discovered that
       banks operating in Latehar’s rural areas were
       able to release amounts between Rs2,000 and
       Rs5,000 only at any given time. To add to his   I will be satisfied when
       problems, only two banks were authorised to   people completely stop open
       release funds to the SHGs for the programme,
       which entailed delays. Sandeep worked on   defecation.”
       further strengthening and supporting these   Sandeep Dungdung, prerak
       SHGs. This included arranging masonry   Latehar, Jharkhand
       training for some SHG members to address
       the widespread problem of unavailability of
       trained masons in the region. In Udaipura
       village of Latehar block, Sunita Devi, a   limitations and the unsafe operating
       swachhagrahi, developed a team of 35 skilled   conditions, the Latehar team has worked hard
       woman masons.                         to ensure the success of the Mission. Sotam
           Bricks, too, were not easily available in   village, where 39 toilets were built in three
       the region as brick kilns are almost non-  months, is a prime example where the team
       existent in Latehar due to its terrain. The   ferried the materials across the river on boats
       SBM-G team tied up with a manufacturer   as it was the only access route to the village.
       to develop bricks made of cement using    Sandeep also ensured that the
       sand dredged from the rivers which are in   accounting for the funds allocated was
       abundance in Latehar.                 appropriately maintained. Although
                                             Latehar currently shows 99% coverage,
       REAPInG tHE fRuItS                    there are toilets which have been reported
       Over time, Sandeep successfully built a   as constructed but don’t exist on ground.
       motivated army of foot soldiers to drive   He is now making efforts to weed out the
       the programme with renewed vigour. This   inefficiencies in data relating to toilets built
       included over 500 women from the SHGs   under the programme. “I will be satisfied
       who were taken on board as swachhagrahis.   only when people start using their toilets and
       Undeterred by the region’s geographical   completely end open defecation,” he says. ˜


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