The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has reacted against an article published by the Reuters news agency claiming ineffectiveness of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).

The Reuters news agency published a story titled “Modi proclaims a cleaner India, but the reality may be more murky”.

In this story, it has raised questions around the progress made under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), specifically the findings of the recent National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey 2018-19.

The National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey 2018-19 (NARSS) is the largest independent sanitation survey in the country carried out by an Independent Verification Agency, said the release.

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation was approached by Reuters ahead of publishing this story and had responded to each question raised by them in detail. However, the story published presents a one-sided view of the situation with all the details shared with Reuters by the Ministry about the NARSS survey portrayed as limited, half-sentences and deficient responses, it added. 

The article says that the Ministry categorically dismissed and denied the claims of the two RICE researchers “without elaborating”.

In reality, however, this Ministry shared a detailed background and elaboration with its dismissal of claims made by RICE researchers, said the report.

By raising questions about NARSS 2018-19 methodology, RICE representatives are not only attempting to undermine the credibility of NARSS (including the eminent EWG members), but also misleading the readers of Reuters, said the release.