Section 4 — Local authorities to survey insanitary latrines and provide sanitary community latrines.

4. Local authorities to survey insanitary latrines and provide sanitary community latrines.—(1) 

Every local authority shall,— 

(a) carry out a survey of insanitary latrines existing within its jurisdiction, and  publish a list of 

such insanitary latrines, in such manner as may be prescribed, within a period of two months from the 

date of commencement of this Act; 

(b) give a notice to the occupier, within fifteen days from the date of publication of the list under 

clause (a), to either demolish the insanitary latrine or convert it into a sanitary latrine, within a period 

of six months from the date of commencement of this Act: 

Provided that the local authority may for sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing extend the 

said period not exceeding three months; 

(c) construct, within a period not exceeding nine months from the date of commencement of this 

Act, such number of sanitary community latrines as it considers necessary, in the areas where 

insanitary latrines have been found. 

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), Municipalities, Cantonment 

Boards and railway authorities shall also construct adequate number of sanitary community latrines, 

within such period not exceeding three years from the date of commencement of this Act, as the 

appropriate Government may, by notification, specify, so as to eliminate the practice of open defecation 

in their jurisdiction. 

(3) It shall be the responsibility of local authorities to construct community sanitary latrines as 

specified in sub-sections (1) and (2), and also to make arrangements for their hygienic upkeep at all 

times. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “community” in relation to railway authorities means 

passengers, staff and other authorised users of railways. 

  



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CHAPTER III 

PROHIBITION OF INSANITARY LATRINES AND EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 

AS MANUAL SCAVENGER