Raipur: Chhattisgarh has experienced a significant 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. This information was revealed in a response to an RTI application filed with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Declining Numbers
The data shows that Chhattisgarh had 12,581 villages declared ODF Plus in 2023-24. However, this figure dropped sharply to just 393 villages in 2024-25 and further declined to a mere 23 villages in 2025-26. This places the state among those witnessing one of the steepest falls in ODF Plus declarations across the country.
Neighboring Madhya Pradesh also recorded a similar trend, with ODF Plus villages falling from 20,681 in 2023-24 to 1,037 in 2024-25 and 76 in 2025-26.
Scheme Implementation
The RTI response clarified that sanitation is a state subject under the Constitution. SBM-G is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by state governments, with the Centre providing technical and financial assistance for rural sanitation and hygiene programs. The ministry also shared nationwide expenditure figures for the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Expenditure and Nationwide Trends
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.
