UPSC REVISION: SWACHH BHARAT MISSION - EVALUATION

21. SBM

Subsidy-based-mass-toilet building-programme

The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on 2nd October, 2014 with a vision of making India open defecation free by 2nd October,2019 . It has two submission ---Swachha Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin) , Swachha Bharat Abhiyan (Urban).

PURPOSE OF SWACHH BHARAT MISSION: As 60% open defecation in world takes place in India it is necessary to make India open defecation free to promote ease of living. It is the largest cleanliness program aims to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birthday because 'clean India' was his dream. It will also help India to achieve SDG 6.( Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.) ; REDUCED STRESS FOR WOMEN; PUBLIC HEALTH;

STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE GOAL: 

(i) FINANCE:

(a) BPL families recieive incentives of Rs 12000 from government for construction of toilets.

(b) world bank provides financial assistance and technical support. 

(ii) PLANNED INITIATIVES: 

(a)Appointment of PWD with the responsibility to dispose of waste from govt offices.

(b)Use of Digital India project . 

(iii) PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN: PM selected public figures to propagate this mission.

(IV) OTHERS:

(a) Swachh Bharat Mission App for people and government organizations for achieving the goals of SBM. 

(b) Swachh Survekhsan Survey in urban areas to keep eye on performance of SBM. 

PERFORMANCE OF SWACHH BHARAT MISSION: This jan andalon receives tremandous support from the people. Performance of this 'revolution' can be measured by various survey reports. 

SUCCESS OF SBM: 

(i) SWACHH SURVEKSHAN SURVEY :It is launched under Shachh Bharat Abhiyan(urban) .As per this survey--

(a) Individual household latrine coverage increased from 2014 to 2017-18 

(b) Indore is declared as cleanest city in the country.

UNION MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION, WHICH HAS INTRODUCED A NEW DISTRICT-LEVEL RANKING, SHOULD PERSUADE THE MORE BACKWARD STATES TO BRING ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

(ii) FINDINGS OF ECONOMIC SURVEY 2017-18:

(a)45% Reduction of open defecation in rural area. 

(b) 296 districts and 3,07,349 villages are declared as ODF

(c)As per UNICEF in a ODF village a household save rs 50000 per year as expenses on illness goes down. 

(d) Incident of diarrhea is decreased.

CHALLENGES OF SBM: As per report of standing committee on Rural Development Swachh Bharat Mission has many lacunae: 

(i) Many toilets are left unused because of unchanged behaviour of people. (THERE IS DATA FROM UNDIVIDED ANDHRA PRADESH TO SHOW THAT HOUSEHOLD LATRINES BUILT BEFORE THE CURRENT SWACHH PROGRAMME LAPSED INTO DISUSE BECAUSE MANY RURAL HOUSEHOLDS DID NOT HAVE A WATER SOURCE.)

(ii) data on spending money is not available in website. Though Government claims to have constructed individual toilets is over 88% on rural household , but till November 2017 it has just spent 1.3% of the funds to carrying out information. 

(iii) sanitation coverage is only in paper but real picture is very lethargic. 

(iv) Unutilized fund in implementation of project in states. 

(v) Low construction quality of toilets. 

(vi) lack of water availability

VII: Dalit houses tend to have lower coverage, hinting at structural difficulties in accessing schemes. 

VIII: URBAN AREA CHALLENGE: Nearly 60% of sewage generated in the cities currently flows untreated into rivers, waterways, lakes and the sea.

WAY-FORWARD: 

(a) awareness campaign to change behaviour of masses. 

(b) Transparency of funding should be ensured. 

(c) Real time data on performance.

(d) Involvement of SHG to educate rural Indians about importance of ODF. 

(e) Accountability of bureaucrats should be improved. 

(f) Use of dust bin on the road. 

(g) Monitoring by expert committees. 

H: Rural housing also needs stronger policy support, without which it cannot wipe out the deficit of about 60 million units that are needed to plan for universal toilet access.

Many Indians do not see the waste they generate as their problem, and consider it to be someone else’s responsibility. Mahatma Gandhi saw in this attitude the pernicious roots of societal divisions, and campaigned against it. Achieving his vision for a clean nation will take more than symbolism — it needs clear policies and investments in the right systems.