New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa figure among the list of states lagging behind when it comes to providing the toilet facilities in rural households.

"The percentage of rural households without toilet facilities in Bihar stands at 72.58 percent while in Jharkhand 69.08 percent households lack the basic sanitation. In Orissa 64.79 percent rural households are without the toilet facilities," said Union Minister Of Rural Development C.P.Joshi in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

In sharp contrast Sikkim is the only state in the country, which has achieved a unique distinction of having achieved Universal Sanitation with no backlogs while Kerala and Tripura are on the way to achieve the similar feat.

The findings appear in the backdrop of a nationwide Total Sanitation Campaign . The campaign was launched by the Central Government in 1977 to provide toilet facility in each and every household in the rural areas of the country.

Based on the proposals received, Total Sanitation Campaign projects (to be implemented over a period of 4-5 years) have been approved for 593 rural districts in the country since the inception of TSC.

The major components of the TSC include information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, incentive of Rs. 1500 from Government of India and Rs. 700 from State Government per toilet for BPL households to construct toilets, provision of toilets in schools and Anganwadis, provision of community toilets, rural sanitary marts, etc. and assistance for village solid and liquid waste management.

Since it is a demand - driven program, funds are released as per eligibility criteria based on utilization of funds by the districts. (ANI)