Government Pays People to Use Toilets in India

The ongoing crisis around access to toilets in India continues to cast a shadow on the country’s urban development. Despite years of government schemes and awareness drives, the struggle remains very real, especially in rural zones, where more than 70% of the population still lacks basic sanitation. With over 41 million urban residents practicing open defecation and many public toilets in disrepair, the issue of toilets in India remains both urgent and unresolved.

While the central government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan did construct thousands of private and community toilets by 2016, the goal fell short. Many of those built are poorly maintained, with broken doors, insects, and a lack of ventilation, making them unusable. Worse, deep-rooted social beliefs continue to discourage people from using indoor toilets altogether. In some cases, newly built bathrooms have even become storage rooms or shrines.

Now, two villages in Rajasthan, Baytu and Gida, have introduced a fresh, money-backed approach to bring change.

Villages Offer ₹2,500 a Month for Using Toilets in India

In the Barmer district, local panchayats, supported by the Rural Development Office and oil giant Cairn, have launched a financial incentive program. Families who consistently use their toilets are awarded ₹2,500 (roughly $37) every month. According to officials, this initiative aims to cover 15,000 households, starting with eight families already rewarded in Baytu. It’s a significant leap from mere construction to actual behavioural change.

Sudhir Sharma, the Barmer district collector, has confirmed that the program’s success will determine its future rollout across other regions. The goal: to make proper toilet usage a norm, not a novelty.

It’s not the first time India has turned to payments for sanitation. In 2015, Ahmedabad offered ₹1 per visit, a strategy borrowed from Kathmandu. However, Rajasthan’s higher payout shows a serious commitment to tackling the deep cultural and logistical barriers tied to toilets in India.