Govt allocates Rs 40,700 cr for Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin

The Ministry of Jal Shakti allocated over Rs 40,700 crore to help over two lakh villages to achieve solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) arrangements under Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) Phase 2 in FY 2021-22. The Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) of states and union territories is approved by the National Scheme Sanctioning Committee (NSSC) of SBM-G under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti. While the centre will spend around Rs 14,000 crore, the states will spend over Rs 8,300 crore. The ministry said that the funds to the tune of Rs 12,730 crore will be made available by the 15th finance commission and over Rs 4,100 by convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Further, over Rs 1,500 crore will be invested through other sources by the states. SBM-G Phase 2 aims to achieve comprehensive cleanliness in villages also called Open Defecation Free (ODF) plus status by focusing on ODF sustainability and ensuring SLWM arrangements in villages. Implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin Phase 2 will see the construction of over 50 lakh individual household toilets (IHHLs), one lakh community toilets, Gobardhan projects in 386 districts, plastic waste management Units in over 2,400 blocks of India, faecal sludge management systems in over 250 districts aside from the targeted support for over 2 lakh villages in implementation of SLWM interventions in 2021-2022. Approving the State Plans, the Ministry of Jal Shakti secretary said that the adoption of twin pit toilet technology for IHHLs construction is relatively safer, low cost, and easier to operate and maintain. He also emphasised the need for low-cost technologies for solid and liquid waste management as they would support decentralised operation and maintenance. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) supported States and union territories earlier to undertake a participatory planning exercise along with Districts and Rural Local Bodies to step up implementation of ODF plus elements and obtain results at scale. Image Source Also read: Hyd eyes 5-star rating under Swachh Bharat Also read: Plastic waste: India, Germany to stem discharge into water systems