The Planning Commission has allocated 36,000 crore rupees for the 12th Five Year Plan, up from 7,800 Crore rupees in the previous Plan to give a big boost to sanitation in the rural areas.

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, who is also in-charge of the Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation, said the Planning Commission's decision reflects the priority UPA government places on sanitation in rural India.

Noting that 60 per cent of open defecation in the world are in India, the Minister said, it is a matter of continuing anguish and shame for all citizens. Mr. Ramesh said the government has vowed to achieve total sanitation in the country in the next 10 years.

He was briefing the media yesterday after a Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs meeting that gave the nod for more than doubling the amount for construction of individual household latrines from existing 4,600 rupees to nearly 10,000 rupees.

Mr. Ramesh said, the total sanitation campaign will now be known as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.