States can use toilet technology they consider better: Centre

States are free to choose appropriate toilet technology for safe disposal of excreta, Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Replying to supplementaries during the Question hour, he said his ministry was promoting the use of twin-pit toilets in which human excreta was being converted into manure.

He said no state has so far urged the central government for introduction of bio-toilets.

The minister said a total of Rs 24,000 crore has been dedicated to implementing bio-toilets under the Swachh Bharat mission and has led to a change in mindset.

"The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has been implementing Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [SBM(G)], a centrally sponsored scheme, across the country to facilitate the states in accelerating rural sanitation coverage.

"The Department promotes use of twin pit toilets in which human faeces automatically becomes manure in 1-2 years and are much cheaper and effective," he said in his ...