From 12k to just 23: State sees steep fall in ODF plus villages

Raipur: Chhattisgarh has recorded a steep decline in the number of villages declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) over the last three financial years, according to information provided by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation in response to an RTI application.The data showed that Chhattisgarh had 12,581 villages declared ODF Plus in 2023-24. The figure dropped sharply to 393 villages in 2024-25 and further declined to just 23 villages in 2025-26, placing the state among those witnessing one of the sharpest falls in ODF Plus declarations.Neighbouring Madhya Pradesh also recorded a decline, with ODF Plus villages falling from 20,681 in 2023-24 to 1,037 in 2024-25 and 76 in 2025-26.The RTI response clarified that sanitation is a state subject and that SBM-G is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by state governments, with the Centre providing technical and financial assistance for rural sanitation and hygiene programmes.The ministry also shared nationwide expenditure figures for the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Actual expenditure stood at Rs 76,826.75 crore in 2023-24, Rs 26,275.74 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 6,600.85 crore in 2025-26.Nationwide, the total number of ODF Plus villages declined from 3.17 lakh in 2023-24 to 33,387 in 2024-25 and further to 4,379 in 2025-26, according to the RTI reply.The RTI application had sought details regarding budget allocation, Jal Jeevan Mission targets, ODF Plus villages, grievance redressal and staffing positions in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the last three financial years.