Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently launched Phase-2 of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM (G)]. Lauding the success of Phase-1 of the SBM (G), Shekhawat, as per a PIB release, said that the Cabinet’s approval of Phase-2 of the mission is a great recognition of the signification achievements made under SBM (G) under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards providing universal coverage and access to safe sanitation in rural areas in five years since its launch on October 2, 2014.Phase-2 of the SBM (G) will focus on sustaining the gains made under the programme in the past five years in terms of toilet access and usage, ensuring no one is left behind. It will ensure that effective solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) is instituted in every gram panchayat of the country.Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Parameswaran Iyer, elaborating upon the mandate of SBM (G) Phase-2, informed that it will be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in a mission mode with a total outlay of Rs.1,408.81 billion. This will be a novel model of convergence between different verticals of financing. Of this, Rs.524.97 billion will be allocated from the budget of DDWS, while the remaining amount will be dovetailed from the funds being released under the 15th Finance Commission, MGNREGS and revenue generation models, particularly for solid and liquid waste management.The Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) component of Open Defecation Free ODF Plus (ODF Plus) will be monitored on the basis of output-outcome indicators for four key areas: Plastic waste management, biodegradable solid waste management (including animal waste management), greywater management and faecal sludge management. The SBM-G Phase-2 will continue to generate employment and provide impetus to the rural economy through construction of household and community toilets, as well as infrastructure for SLWM such as compost pits, soak pits, waste stabilisation ponds, material recovery facilities, etc, said the release.Earlier, on February 19, 2020, the Union Cabinet had approved the SBM Phase-2, which will help rural India effectively handle the challenge of SLWM and will help in substantial improvement in the health of villagers in the country. Since the launch of the SBM-G in 2014, over 100 million toilets have been built in rural areas; over 0.59 million villages, 699 districts, and 35 states and Union Territories have declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).