Success Story of Total Sanitation Campaign Implementation In South Tripura

TSC was launched in South Tripura District in December 2001 to ensure reduction in mortality and other diseases. TSC started functioning with a goal of achieving 100 percent sanitation coverage all over the District by the end of September 2003 for improving the quality of life of the tribal people and to provide privacy and dignity to women. The concept of sanitation was earlier limited to disposal of human excreta by cesspools, open ditches, pit latrines, bucket system etc. Today it connotes a comprehensive concept, which includes liquid and solid waste disposal, food hygiene, personal, domestic as well as environmental hygiene.

A base line survey was conducted to identify the BPL & APL families having no scientific toilets and to verify the health & hygiene condition of the people of the District. Other institutions like Anganwari centers, Balwadi centers, PHC's; Schools having no toilets were also identified through the base line survey. The survey also revealed that awareness regarding health and hygiene in the District was also very meager.

Attempts have been made to aware masses through IEC activities at schools, community places, ICDS centers so that there is no open defecation in the entire district. Activities like distribution of booklets, leaflets, calendars, posters, banners, signboards in the prominent places, street play, drama etc were taken up. Competitions on various aspects like song, debate, sit and draw, drama etc on TSC among the school students were also organized. Door to door publicity by the block level workers, SHG motivators, members of NGOs, social workers and others was given special emphasis. Audiocassettes on TSC in Bengali and Kakborak were distributed in the Panchayats. The uniqueness about the strategy adopted under this programme was to make the programme community led and “ People centered“ along with involvement of Political Institutions, Government officials, Grassroot Level workers, PRIs and educational institutions etc. During the campaign on sanitation, other related issues like health, hygiene, woman empowerment etc were also carried out. Social mobilization ensured participation of all the families into the campaign.

Rural Sanitary Marts have been set up and managed by women SHGS in all the 11 blocks of the district for production of Sanitary materials like squatting plates, mosaic pan/siphon etc. Number of smaller production units/ manufacturing centers at Gram Panchayat level and ward/para level have been set up for ensuring 100 percent achievement in time.

Out of total targeted 1,03,273 BPL families, 83,541 families have been covered with sanitary toilets and out of total targeted 44,116 APL families, 21,087 number of families have been covered with sanitary toilets. Out of total targeted 597 schools, 236 schools have been covered with sanitary toilets. Different models have been designed for different locations, cost, availability of water, flood prone areas using local materials. Rajibnagar and Ratanmani are the two Gram Panchayats Satchand Block and West Jalefa and Bankul Mahamani GPs jointly under Satcand and Rupaicharri block to achieve full coverage of sanitation. The 1 st three GPs in the District making 100% coverage of targeted families were also awarded. By the Chief Minister. Awards given consisted of additional allocation of development fund to the block as well as the Gram Panchayats. This really acted on the morale and boosted the enthusiasm of the implementing agencies of RD programmes in the district.