Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements related to Integrated Low Cost Sanitation (ILCS) scheme:
(I) The system is funded on sharing basis.
(II) Central Subsidy is 75 percent.
(III) State subsidy is 25 percent.
Of these, the correct statements are:
I and II only
II and III only
I and III only
I, II and III all
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Statement I is correct. Integrated Low Cost Sanitation (ILCS) was a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, and under its revised funding arrangement, the cost was shared among the Centre, State and beneficiary.
Statement II is correct. According to the revised guidelines of 2008, the Central subsidy was 75%.
Statement III is incorrect. The State subsidy was 15%, not 25%. The remaining 10% was the beneficiary contribution. Thus, the funding pattern was 75% Centre + 15% State + 10% beneficiary.
The main objective of ILCS was to convert existing dry latrines into sanitary two-pit pour-flush latrines and liberate manual scavengers from the inhuman practice of carrying night soil. The revised scheme also provided for construction of new latrines for EWS households having no latrine facility.
Current Status: ILCS is no longer operated as a separate scheme. In 2012, the Government described it as being in its final year of implementation and stated that projects had been sanctioned for conversion of all dry latrines reported by the States.