entailing an additional outgo of Rs 1,348.26 crore from the central exchequer.
The decision was approved by the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
Under the revised scheme, the incentive amount to a BPL household for construction for one latrine has been increased by Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,200 from the current Rs 2,200, Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the CCEA meeting.
In the case of hilly and difficult areas, the government’s support has been increased to Rs 3,700 from the earlier Rs 2,700 per unit, he added.
“The revision in the incentive amount being provided to individual households in the BPL category is expected to accelerate the pace of construction of toilets, thereby resulting in better sanitation coverage in rural areas,” he said.
“It is expected that all rural households should have access to sanitation facilities by March, 2015,” the Home Minister added.
The increase is support is expected to have an additional financial implication of Rs 1,348.26 crore on the Centre and Rs 577 crore on the state governments taken together.
“The central share shall be Rs 2,200 per unit, while that of state government will be Rs 1,000. Minimum beneficiary (BPL household) share shall be Rs 300,” he said, adding that states have the flexibility to increase their contribution.
The Centre’s contribution in case of hilly and difficult areas of the country will be Rs 2,700 per unit.
The revised rates of incentives will be applicable from the first date of this month.