Where Does the Roots of Open Defecation Lie? What Economics has to Say About it?

Abstract

India has become the global champion of open defecation with largest number of her people defecating in the open. In recent time, sanitation coverage has experienced a phenomenal leap. Swachh Bharat Misson (SBM) acting as "engine of growth" in sanitation sector by raising access to sanitation. However, the ultimate goal of the mission as well as sustainable development is to achieve "Clean" i.e. open defecation free India. Construction of toilet only serves the necessary condition of the bigger goal whereas sufficiency lies in elimination of open defecation which is still a far cry. The paper intends to identify the enabling factors behind the choice of open defecation practiced by rural households. The paper utilized primary data from a field survey conducted in rural Maharashtra. The choice function of the rural households combines household characteristics with the environmental and Gram Panchayat characteristics.