Regional Consultation on Learnings from SBM

PRIA, with the support of Water Aid and the guidance of SBM Chhattisgarh, organised a regional level consultation among different stakeholders at Baikunthpur, in the Zilla Panchayat office on 18 February 2016. 60 participants from the districts of Korea, Surajpur, Sarguja, Balrampur and Jashpur attended. They included district coordinators, consultants under SBM, sarpanches, district level navaratnas, block coordinators, engineers, cluster coordinators, PMRDF fellows from INGOs like UNICEF and Care India and media persons. The consultation shared experiences and efforts of members of governmental and non-governmental agencies on ‘what works and what does not work’ in SBM in the northern districts (Sarguja Division) of Chhattisgarh.

"This joint initiative of PRIA, Water Aid and SBM is very important at this stage of SBM," said the District Collector. "We are aware of the challenges, and we appreciate the efforts of all stakeholders in making SBM successful. Under the guidance of the Mission Directorate we are focusing on processes which will result in behaviour change rather than mere numbers. Our combined efforts will soon result in Sonhat Block being declared ODF," he concluded.

The Zilla Panchayat CEO was appreciative of the learning opportunity provided through the consultation. "This forum provides a platform for people to share and learn," he said. "There is so much that Korea district can learn from Sarguja district, especially in the areas of reactivation of Nirmal Gram Panchayats (NGP) and participation of SHGs."

The coordinators of the Mission provided deep insights on different aspects of programme implementation and its challenges.

In relation to targets:

• The targets should be there but it should not be compulsive or a warning
• ODF till 2019 is not an unachievable target if behaviour change of public is accomplished
• Every household should be given time driven target for toilet construction in a letter and if not done then should be penalized

In relation to capacity building and orientation:
• Doctors and medical professionals should be a involved actively, for behaviour change. When doctors ask if a family has a toilet (or not) and inform about illnesses due to open defecation, the message will be impactful. 
• Social mobilization is very important. Mitanins (grassroots health worker) should be used as a medium and this proposal should be added to SBM’ guidelines.
• Capacity building of anganwadi workers and mitanins is very necessary.
• Even NSS cadets should be made a medium to promote capacity building.
• Identification of natural leaders for triggering behaviour change
• Other government departments should also be made to contribute in SBM
• Ensure maximum participation of villagers in gram sabha

In relation to funds:
• Release of funds should be decentralized and should be at the disposal of district administration
• Motivational fund has become implementation fund

Others
• Peer pressure on a person for toilet construction is important
• Panchayat should get timely opportunity to keep their views in front of district administration. Both should work hand in hand
• SBM should not be supply driven
• Special strategy for involving public representative and media should be set
• Chief Minister should make his representative adopt villages and work for its transformation
• The officers should be penalized for negligent monitoring
• Salary of lower level workers of SBM should be revised
• Nirmal Gram Panchayat 9NGP) also to be considered under SBM
• Water Rresources to be managed properly
• Knowledge of water level and pit construction should be given 
• There should be a forum to share and take views from the bottom up, which is the objective of RALU’s efforts