If true, these numbers would mean better public health outcomes in India — a very desirable outcome. Researchers who study sanitation agree that the questionnaire is structured to show the appearance of latrine use. The pressure of an approaching deadline of making India open defecation free (ODF) is one. In fact, pictures of such defunct latrines can be seen on the SBM website categorised as “uploaded”, “approved” and “counted”. In all the villages, the study found coercive measures having been used to promote the SBM.

Source: The Hindu November 15, 2017 01:18 UTC