The Government of Jharkhand has successfully established a workable strategy for creating and sustaining Nirmal Grams (clean villages) through a people-centric, participatory and demand-driven approach. This initiative aims to create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages through the construction of a functional toilet in every household. Having been successfully piloted in Gadri village, the initiative is being scaled up across the state, with convergence and community involvement as its underlying principles. The initiative has created a ripple effect as neighbouring villages have emulated the process and the State government has upscaled the initiative, beginning with the direct transfer of Rs 30.46 crore to the Village Water and Sanitation Committees of various Panchayats.
Positive ripple effect in achieving ODF status:
The successful pilot at Gadri village has created a ripple effect. Three other villages in the same Panchayat are in the process of achieving ODF status soon, as the construction of toilets for every household in these villages is in its final stages. Work is continuing in all six villages of the Nehalu Kadadia Panchayat. Many other Panchayats have also started the process and as many as four villages are nearing the ODF process as of 8th February 2014.
Scaling up of initiative to cover entire state, supported by convergence in funding:
The success of Gadri has encouraged the government to scale up this initiative in the rest of the state, with special focus on another five Panchayats in four districts. A proposal for constructing 1.5 lakh toilets under MGNREGA has been approved. The most significant impact is the direct transfer of Rs. 30.46 crore to the VWSC accounts of various Panchayats. The DDWS has proposed to construct 2-2.5 lakh toilets in Jharkhand, thereby putting sanitation high on the state agenda. Functional and funding convergence with NRLM is expected to further strengthen VWSCs/ Panchayats and the women community to push water and sanitation initiatives at the grassroots.
Additional infrastructural measures:
Meanwhile, Gadri is now working on the piped water supply initiative, for which various sanctions have been obtained. As a follow-up on the ODF status, the BRC in Gadri has also undertaken the task of covering drains and digging pits for household water discharge.