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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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