With an intention to help states, districts, and rural local bodies execute solid and liquid waste management initiatives, the ODF Plus Manuals under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase - II was released on Wednesday. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Cabinet Minister in Ministry of Jal Shakti and Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel, released the manuals at an event planned by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS). The DDWS has developed these manuals, which concern key elements of ODF Plus, Faecal Sludge Management, Plastic Waste Management, Grey Water Management, Biodegradable Waste Management and IEC. They give comprehensive data on technologies, technical specifications of assets, estimated prices and possible O&M arrangements, as per the release from the Ministry. In February 2020, the Central government allowed Phase-II of the SBM (G) with a total price of Rs 1,40,881 crore to concentrate on the Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) and sustainability of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, the release added. After the release of Manuals, Shekhawat told the media that the SBMG transformed rural India by revealing into a Jan Andolan for sanitation under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) rural India milestone in mission mode (2014-19). For FY 2021-22, as part of the allowed Annual Implementation Plan (AIP), SBM (G) Phase-II is poised to help over 2 lakh villages obtain solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) arrangements through an investment of more than Rs 40,700 crore. While the Central share would be about Rs 14,000 crore, the states shall provide above Rs 8,300 crore. Funds of Rs 12,730 crore will be made available through the 15th Finance Commission and more than Rs 4,100 crore through convergence with MGNREGS. Programme Implementation this financial year will observe the construction of above 50 lakh Individual Household toilets (IHHLs), Plastic Waste Management Units, one Lakh Community toilets in more than 2,400 blocks in the nation, Grey Water Management in about 1.82 lakh villages, Gobardhan projects in 386 districts, and Faecal sludge management arrangements in across 250 districts, the release added. Prahlad Singh Patel told the media that since Swachhata is an endless journey, the Phase II of SBM (G) strives to achieve the target of comprehensive cleanliness or Sampoorna Swachhata by discussing ODF SLWM problems. DDWS has developed manuals to help districts, rural local bodies and states execute solid and liquid waste management initiatives. Image Source Also read: Vedanta Aluminium Business recycles 16.5 billion litres of water