Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) is a comprehensive programme to ensure sanitation
facilities in rural areas with the broader goal to eradicate the practice of open
defecation. To add vigour to the TSC, in October 2003, Government of India initiated
an incentive scheme named the 'Nirmal Gram Puraskar’(NGP). NGP is given to those
"open defecation free" Nirmal Gram Panchayats, Blocks, and Districts which have
become fully sanitized. The incentive provision is for Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs) as well as individuals and organizations that are the driving force for full
sanitation coverage.
A "Nirmal Gram" is an "Open Defecation Free" village where all houses, Schools and
Anganwadis having sanitary toilets and awareness amongst community on the importance
of maintaining personal and community hygiene and clean environment.