GUIDELINEs NIGRANI SAMITI

A Community led movement to Stop Open Defecation

Rural Development Department , Government of Gujarat

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Background................................................................................................................................................ 1

2. What is a Nigrani Samiti? .......................................................................................................................... 1

3. How is Nigrani Samiti Formed? ................................................................................................................. 1

4. Need for Nigrani Samiti ............................................................................................................................. 2

5. Composition/ Structure of Nigrani Samiti ................................................................................................. 3

6. Roles and Responsibilities of Nigrani Samiti: ............................................................................................ 3

6.1 Roles and Responsibilities of different members of Nigrani Samiti........................................................ 4

6.1.1 Chairman ...................................................................................................................................... 4

6.1.2 Secretary....................................................................................................................................... 5

6.1.3 Treasurer ...................................................................................................................................... 6

6.1.4 Male members of NS.................................................................................................................... 6

6.1.5 Female members of NS ................................................................................................................ 6

6.1.6 Children members of NS .............................................................................................................. 6

7. Roadmap – OD to ODF +............................................................................................................................ 7

8. Sustainability ............................................................................................................................................. 7

9. ODF celebrations ....................................................................................................................................... 8

10. Capacity building: Training/ Orientation of Nigrani Samiti ..................................................................... 9

11. Panchayat and Nigrani Samiti: Interface ...............................................................................................10

12. Monitoring by NS: Frequency of meetings, Nature of report ...............................................................10

14. Some Success Stories towards sustainability ........................................................................................11

15. Annexures..............................................................................................................................................13

15.1 Status Recording Format for Nigrani Samitis ..................................................................................13

15.2 Tracking format ...............................................................................................................................13

15.3 Consolidated list of Open defecators..............................................................................................14

15.4 Training schedule of Nigrani Samit……………………………………………………………………………………………14ii

ABBREVIATIONS

CLTS Community Led Total Sanitation

HH House Hold

NC Nigrani Committee

NGO Non Government Organisation

NS Nigrani Samiti

OD Open Defecation

ODEP Open Defecation Elimination Plan

ODF Open Defecation Free

PRI Panchayati Raj Institution

SBM Swachh Bharat Mission

SHG Self Help Group

SLWM Solid Liquid Waste Management

TDO Taluka Development Officer

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1. Background Gujarat is moving towards 100 % Sanitation coverage. One big challenge in Gujarat in achieving

100% ODF status is the lack of awareness and the established age old practices. It is very

important that the sanitation units constructed are used regularly by the people and the actual

status of Open Defecation Free be achieved, not by force but by choice. The need of the hour is a

more focused approach of aligning the construction of toilets with behaviour change

communication, more community led interventions for sanitation and health practices to address

the issue of behaviour change and a step towards a healthier State. Building on lessons learnt

from the past experience, one of the strategies suggested is to promote Community-Led Total

Sanitation methodology (CLTS) for mobilizing communities to conduct their own appraisal and

analysis of open defecation. CLTS would focus on behaviour change, triggering the community’s desire for change and encouraging innovation, mutual support and appropriate local solutions,

thus leading to greater ownership and sustainability. Facilitators and natural leaders constituting

the Nigrani committee (NC) would enable this process at local level. With reference to GR

issued by Rural Development Department SBM 102016/SFS-1/Kh-2 Dated 10/02/2017, this

manual provides guideline for the formation of Nigrani Samiti (mentioned under ‘Triggering’,

step 2 of GUJCATS Phase2) and its roles and responsibilities. The Nigrani Committee so formed

shall assist the Block Resource Team(BRT) to perform the progressive functions listed in column

3, under step3 (Strengthening) of GUJCATS phase II. The formats specified in annexure at the

end of the guideline shall assist the BRT to follow up with the Nigrani Samiti on the indicators

listed in column 4 therein.

2. What is a Nigrani Samiti? Nigrani Samiti is a community organization, formed by communities to monitor open defecation

in their villages, educate families on ill effects of open defecation, and how toilet usage benefits

the families and contributes to overall well being of the entire village Panchayat residents.

A Nigrani Samiti is a group of men, women and children of a village/ Panchayat who voluntarily

unite themselves with a common goal of making their village clean and free of human faeces in

open environment. Nigrani Samiti, as a group is not very well knit and also not very cohesive but

is bound by the common goal of making and sustaining their village as open defecation free.

3. How is Nigrani Samiti Formed? Nigrani committee will consist of motivated members from the same village

The committee is formed naturally with individuals coming forward to take on this role

Commitment to the cause will be the major criteria to be a NC member

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Membership will be on voluntary basis, any motivated citizen can be a NC member

irrespective of age or education qualification.

Gram Panchayat will play a role in suggesting the prospective NC members. NGOs, PRIs,

SHGs, youth groups will all be part of the selection process.

Youth, women, senior citizens and teachers would be encouraged to be NC members

OD is a sensitive topic. NC should be motivated and patient as they have to work with various

levels of society in their respective villages. It demands a hands-off approach; not teaching but

facilitating to enable people to confront their unpalatable realities

NC will be adequately trained to address the issue of OD in the village

Capacity building of the NC will be done by CEE and NGOs

Awareness building of NC on best sanitation practices, its advantages and its linkage with

health, will be done.

They will be skilled in implementing participatory approaches and equipped with materials

and the knowledge for generating community awareness

4. Need for Nigrani Samiti Nigrani Samiti is an essential institution to achieve and sustain the ODF movement. Usually,

external facilitators/ NGOs/ Donors move out from a village/Panchayat/area after some time of

triggering. To fill the void/gap, an institution/organization is needed to continuously motivate

communities against open defecation, monitor them and achieve the ODF status and sustain it.

Nigrani Samiti is an institution which provides continuity and momentum to the ODF journey in

a village/ Panchayat.

Well performing Nigrani Samitis

have effectively contributed in achieving

ODF status in the Panchayats which have

become ODF, across all the settings and

in different geographies.

Nigrani Samiti being local in

nature is more effective in community

mobilization and monitoring and because

of its presence, external support

requirement is minimal. It helps in

sustaining the ODF movement without

any costs.

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5. Composition/ Structure of Nigrani Samiti One Nigrani Samiti will be composed for each village/ hamlet. It will comprise of 10 -12 males,

10-12 females and 10-12 children separately for females, males and Children. The composition

of each nigrani Samiti necessitates following office bearers for a Nigrani Samiti:

Chairman: 1

Secretary: 1

Treasurer: 1

Members: 27

6. Roles and Responsibilities of Nigrani Samiti: Nigrani Samiti shall perform the following roles:

Nigrani Committee will be responsible for regular monitoring of OD in the village and draw

up plans to end open defecation

NC will address the cultural and

behavioral patterns that have

prevented villagers from using

toilets

Maintain a sanitation register for

the village

NC to acknowledge the

heterogeneity of toilet use

preferences and execute

behavioural interventions

accordingly

The NC will be responsible to

innovate the methodology for

mobilizing communities to

completely eliminate OD

Nigrani Committee in each village to conduct regular follow-up, particularly during the

morning and evening hours when people normally resort to open defecation

NC to interact with every villager, do individual household visits, organise activities at

schools, conduct community meetings and take all possible measures to spread awareness of

harmful OD effects, and encourage latrine use

3

NC will organise meetings every

month, conduct analysis, evaluate OD

status and devise action plans to address

the issues

Interact with Panchayat and front

line workers for community

mobilization/ Rewards/ Punishments/

punitive actions to achieve and sustain

ODF

Follow open defecators to the

defecation site through morning and

evening follow ups till they stop open

defecation

Encourage open defecators to stop open defecation and till they do not have toilets, either

construct and use temporary toilets or cover the feaces with soil/mud/ash

Whistling while people are watched to go out to defecate to remind them that open defecation

is not accepted

Flagging of defecation spots

Plantation (Usually plants which have religious sentiments attached, such as Peepal) at

defecation sites

Displaying the names of hardcore open defecators on public places in village

Community forces the open defecator to lift the faeces in his/her hand so that they feel

ashamed and do not resort to Open defecation

Offering public applause/Offering flowers/garland to open defecators so that they feel

ashamed to go for open defecation

Honouring of open defecator by the school children

Patrolling by Nigrani Samiti members through cycles/ Bikes during morning and evening

follow ups

Awareness building on safe and sustainable sanitation

Mobilize local donors to support families, which due to any reason cannot be covered under

SBM

Innovative Ideas: Public announcements/ family counseling/ social boycotts etc

6.1 Roles and Responsibilities of different members of Nigrani Samiti The responsibilities of each of the member will be:

6.1.1 Chairman

Chairman will be responsible to:

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Organize daily meetings till the OD is completely stopped. Once this is done, then the

frequency of meetings can be twice a week and after 3 months of ODF, the frequency of

meetings can be weekly and fortnightly. Such meetings must be held till one year of

achievement of ODF.

Encourage and be a part of the morning and evening follow ups

Use soft measures

(Gandhigiri) in initial stages

and later on report the names

of defaulters to Panchayat for

imposing penalties on

offenders. The amount

collected be deposited in a

dedicated bank account in the

name of Nigrani Samiti and all

such funds collected can be

used in either buying flowers

or in organizing ODF

celebrations

Trigger communities,

wherever required to ensure

ODF environment

Enthuse NS members and

keep the momentum for achieving and sustaining ODF environment

Interact with PRI members and other stakeholders and muster their support for sustainable

ODF

Initiate action, as per the situation and as per law to ensure sustainable ODF

6.1.2 Secretary

Will perform all functions in absence of Chairman

Will keep the minutes of meetings in Register

Will maintain all records and interact with Panchayats and other stakeholders

Will be one of the signatories of the NS bank account

All other functions of NS member

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6.1.3 Treasurer

Will keep the accounts and place before members the income and expenditure statement every

month

Will maintain all records and interact with Panchayats and other stakeholders

Will be one of the signatories of the NS bank account

All other functions of NS member

6.1.4 Male members of NS

Morning and Evening Follow ups in OD places frequented by men

Door to door visit to the HHs who are habitual offenders (Open defecators)

Mobilize communities against OD practioners

6.1.5 Female members of NS

Morning and Evening Follow ups in OD places frequented by women

Door to door visit to the HHs who are habitual offenders (Open defecators)

Mobilize communities against OD practitioners

6.1.6 Children members of

NS

Morning and Evening Follow

ups in OD places frequented

by men, women and children

Door to door visit to the HHs

who are habitual offenders

(Open defecators)

Organize Village awareness

rallies against OD

Mobilize communities against

OD practitioners

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7. Roadmap – OD to ODF + In consultation with the Panchayat and communities, prepare ODEP (Open defecation

elimination plan) and ensure that the ODF is achieved. The ODEP will contain the list of HHs

with toilets, without toilets and HHs with toilets but not using toilets. The ODEP should be

referred and follow up be done accordingly.

The ODF plan should also include post ODF facilities such as drainage and waste disposal and

hence the ODF plan must contain SLWM (Solid Liquid Waste Management) details. The ODF

Plan must have clear targets, time periods, responsibilities, monitoring and output indicators with

budget. ODF Plan must be approved by the Panchayat.

8. Sustainability Nigrani Samiti and Panchayats must work in unison and ensure that ODF status is sustained. Till

the time OD continues, strict vigil through morning and evening follow ups should be

undertaken. Those who are regular offenders should be charged fine and all such amount be

deposited in bank account and be utilized for buying flowers to be given to OD practioners as

Gandhigiri and make them feel ashamed of their act.

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9. ODF celebrations Post achievement of ODF, a grand celebration with the participation of Panchayat, communities

and all key stakeholders and front line workers be organized and all residents of the village be

administered oath to maintain the ODF status. Individual members who have contributed in

achieving the feat be recognized, honoured and certificates/prizes etc be given.

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10. Capacity building: Training/ Orientation of Nigrani Samiti Nigrani Samiti members’ capacities and skills can be built through a one

day orientation programme post

formation of such committees. The

Nigrani Samiti members’ knowledge

on sanitation concept, components,

linkage between sanitation and health,

diseases due to human feaces etc. be

built. The Nigrani Samiti members

must also be trained on sanitation

technologies, toilet usage, children’s

feaces and safe disposal of children’s feaces, inter-personal communication,

social behaviour change

communication, safe hygiene

practices and community mobilization

tools and reporting, monitoring and documentation.

Nigrani Samiti members must be trained on Sustainability indicators, so that they can contribute

effectively in sustaining the ODF momentum. Training agenda

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11. Panchayat and Nigrani Samiti: Interface Panchayats must play critical role in strengthening Nigrani Samitis. Panchayats can lend

credibility to the Nigrani Samitis by having a weekly meeting with them to review the ODF

status and support the Nigrani Samitis in resolving issues pertaining to morning and evening

follow ups, IPC, Group meetings, habitual Open defecators and initiate appropriate measures to

take remedial measures. Nigrani Samitis’ all suggestions, issues, problems must be acknowledged by Panchayats and necessary steps must be taken to endorse their views and their

suggestions. If Panchayats and Nigrani Samitis work in close coordination and as well knit units,

the achievement and sustainability of ODF in a Panchayat becomes a cake walk. TDOs (Taluka

Development Officer) through periodic meetings with Panchayats can review the interface

between Panchayats and Nigrani Samitis and facilitate in close coordination of these institutions.

Similarly, TDOs/ district may issue directives to all front line workers of each Panchayat to have

fixed day meetings with Nigrani Samitis of their areas and help them in discharging their duties.

12. Monitoring by NS: Frequency of meetings, Nature of report NS Meetings must be organized in each week

They may visit every household and motivate them to adopt safe and sustainable sanitation

methods on a daily basis in the initial stages and later on to only habitual offenders

Monitoring of Open Defecators through Morning and evening follow ups, special meetings

with habitual offenders

Review of sanitation and open defecation status with Panchayats every week and once ODF is

achieved, the frequency of such meetings can be fortnightly

Nigrani Samiti members can prepare village/ Panchayat list of households with and without

toilets and list of open defecators and review it on a weekly basis till ODF is achieved and is

sustained for at least six months

Nigrani Samiti to prepare weekly status report and share with Panchayat for action.

Monitoring formats, which may be used by Nigrani Samitis are attached as Annexure

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14. Some Success Stories towards sustainability

Sona nu Shauchalay

Ahmadabad took a creative initiative

to bring about awareness among

children. ‘Sona nu Shauchalay’ is a

book published by DRDA,

Ahmadabad. It is a beautiful effort to

inculcate good practices of sanitation

and hygiene like using toilet, washing

hands, maintaining clean

environment and proper disposal of

waste. It narrates short stories and

pictorially sketches out various

sanitation and cleanliness habits at

the level of children by drawing out

analogies from their life.

Hindoliya through the ODF lens

Surat stands as a wonderful example

where interventions by Nigrani Samiti

have resulted in an Open Defeacation

Free, Hindoliya village of Baroli block.

Activities like Prabhat pheri, Nukkad

Natak and Swachhta rally by school

children were carried out in full

vigour. Coupled to this, innovative

measure like boundary wall, fencing

around the open place and lightening

at the road side spots of open

defecation, were fruitful in attaining

sustainable ODF.

Innovative measures at Hindoliya village, Bardoli, Surat

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“Paat GP “ of Namrada district was the first one in formation of Nigrani Samiti by SHG women

& Morning and evening follow up by them

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15. Annexures

15.1 Status Recording Format for Nigrani Samitis

(to be updated on a bi-monthly basis)

Sr.

No

Name of Family head Toilet

Available

Toilet Usage Remarks

Yes No Yes No

All the HHs must be enumerated and data base be prepared

15.2 Tracking format

List of Open defectors and those who have stopped Open defecation after motivation,

follow ups

(to be updated on weekly Basis)

Sr.

No

Name of Open

defecator

Age Gender Stopped Open defecation

and using toilet

M F Child Child M F Child Child

(M) (F) (M) (F)

1

2

3

4

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15.3 Consolidated list of Open defecators

(To be filled at the end of a month till open defecation is completely stopped)

Sr.

No

Name of Open defecator Age Gender

M F Child

(M)

Child

(F)

1

2

3

4

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5.4 Orientation Schedule of Nigrani Samiti

Place:____________________________________

Date : ____________________________________

Time Issues Facilitation

09.30 to 10:00 hrs Tea, Snacks & Registration

10.00 to 10:15 hrs Welcome Address

10:15 to 11:15 hrs Sharing of Training Objectives & Need, Importance of

Sanitation

11:15 to 12:00 hrs Orientation of SBM (G) programme and its component

12:00 to 12:10 hrs Tea Break

12:10 to 13:00 hrs Importance of Community led approach & Community

led monitoring system to stop Open Defecation

13:00 to 13:45 hrs Role of Nigrani Samiti in ODF and importance of its

sustenance in context rural life and rural set up.

Role Play

13: 45 to 14:30 hrs Role of Nigrani Samiti in Triggering, morning & evening

follow up

14:30- 1500 hrs Lunch

1500 to 15:30 hrs Method of identification of key gaps through monthly

meetings

15:30 to 16:00 hrs Convergence with Gram Panchayat for taking

corrective action

16:0 to 16:15 hrs Tea Break

16:15 to 17:00 hrs Role of Nigrani in Village Level events & function for

IEC & IPC

17: 00 to 17:30 hrs Preparing village level action plan for Nigrani Samiti

based on findings.

17:30 to 17:45 PM Concluding Session

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