Cabinet hikes toilets' cost in sanitation campaign

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved an increase in the unit cost of a school toilet constructed under the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) from Rs.20,000 to Rs.35,000.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved an increase in the unit cost of a school toilet constructed under the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) from Rs.20,000 to Rs.35,000.

HT Image

The unit cost in case of difficult and hilly areas will be Rs.38,500. The revised unit costs are effective April 1.

Announcing the CCEA decisions, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the unit cost of anganwadi toilets being constructed under the TSC had been raised from Rs.5,000 to Rs.8,000 (Rs. 10,000 for difficult and hilly areas).

"There will be no change in the funding pattern and it will remain same as 70 percent by centre and 30 percent by state. The revision in unit cost of school toilets and anganwadi toilets will mean additional financial expenditure of Rs.353.74 crore," he said.

The increase in unit costs will enable construction of good quality toilets as per plan and specifications.

The TSC gives special focus to improved sanitation facilities in schools and anganwadis.