Impact of Public Expenditure on Sanitation Amenities: Experience of the Indian States

The social benefits of sanitation facilities are multifaceted. Accordingly, the Government of India has introduced the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) to improve sanitation conditions. This article investigates how, as a catalyst, the SBM has changed the sanitation infrastructure and environment in different Indian states. The article uses state-level panel data from 2014–2015 to 2018–2019. The results show that household latrine coverage has improved considerably with the introduction of the SBM. As a public-funded initiative, the SBM seems to have been an important catalyst in building awareness and creating a conducive sanitation environment by constructing latrines. One may expect such changes to encourage private expenditure on sanitation and lead to a sustainable environment in the country. JEL Codes: H51, I18, I38, J18