G.O.(Ms).No.96, Promoting Latrine Use in Rural Tamil Nadu, 2015
The Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (ST2&E) Department issued Government Order G.O.(Ms).No.96 on 13 November 2015, approving and funding a pilot evaluation study to promote latrine use in rural Tamil Nadu. It sanctions the Government of Tamil Nadu contribution, sets funding milestones and assigns responsibilities to J-PAL South Asia and the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
What the government order covers
The Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (ST2&E) Department issued G.O.(Ms).No.96 to approve a pilot study examining why rural households may continue open defecation even when they have access to low-cost pit toilets. The study is intended to assess whether latrine use is affected by limited information, a lack of tangible monetary benefits, insufficient education about toilet benefits, pit-emptying concerns or a preference for larger toilets.
The proposal was approved by the Second Steering Committee following a presentation by the investigators. The study forms part of the Government of Tamil Nadu's partnership with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab for evidence-based evaluation of public programmes.
Funding and release schedule
G.O.(Ms).No.96 approves a total project cost of Rs.57,72,452. The funding shares are:
- Government of Tamil Nadu contribution: Rs.46,50,452.
- J-PAL contribution: Rs.11,22,000.
- Total estimated budget: Rs.57,72,452.
The Institute for Financial Management and Research is to receive the government grant on behalf of J-PAL South Asia. The Member Secretary of the State Planning Commission is authorised to draw and disburse the sanctioned amount from the State Innovation Fund allocation for evaluation and awareness building.
Funding is linked to these milestones:
- 50 percent upon issue of the government order.
- 40 percent for the report on baseline and qualitative findings in January 2016.
- 10 percent for the report summarising endline and pilot findings in March 2016.
Responsibilities of J-PAL South Asia
J-PAL South Asia must:
- Design study protocols and select villages with government support.
- Conduct household interviews before and after the intervention.
- Interview households, local leaders and officials about programme implementation.
- Design a communication strategy to promote latrine use.
- Recruit a pit-emptying company and hire and train field staff.
- Submit reports on initial and full findings.
Responsibilities of the government department
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department must appoint a project contact, help identify suitable villages and provide survey and interview permissions. It must also support timely latrine construction if sufficient coverage is not available in at least seven villages, and provide feedback on communication strategies.
Relevance to property owners and buyers
G.O.(Ms).No.96 concerns a rural sanitation pilot, research activities and government funding. Its provisions address selected study villages, household surveys, latrine coverage and programme implementation rather than land ownership or property transactions.
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Common questions
Does G.O.(Ms).No.96 change land ownership or property registration rules?
No land ownership or property registration change is stated. The government order approves and funds a pilot study on promoting latrine use in rural Tamil Nadu.
How much did the Government of Tamil Nadu sanction for the project?
The Government of Tamil Nadu sanctioned Rs.46,50,452 toward the total project cost of Rs.57,72,452.
Will households be interviewed as part of the pilot study?
Yes. J-PAL South Asia is responsible for quantitative and qualitative household interviews, including data collection on sanitation attitudes and behaviour before and after the intervention.
Could new latrines be constructed in the selected villages?
Yes. If sufficient leech-pit latrine coverage has not been achieved in at least seven villages, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department must support timely construction.
