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TOPIC: General Studies 2
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes
In News: WHO thumbs up for Swachh Bharat’s rural component.
Swachh Bharat Mission: The first sanitation programme in the country to measure outcomes (ODF) instead of output (toilets) alone. The SBM's emphasis on behavior change in rural sanitation at the grassroots also leads to rigorous verification and sustainability of the benefits accrued to rural communities under the progress made. The SBM is a people's movement, a true jan andolan, and it is this people's participation that has led to the success being witnessed under the Mission. The Mission is on track to achieve an ODF India by October 2019.
Has the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Brought a Paradigm Shift in Rural Sanitation?
Efforts towards a ‘Swachh Bharat’
Commitment: A commitment has come from the highest level of government, with the prime minister himself doing “shramdan” for the construction of a twin pit toilet in a village in Varanasi.
Behaviour Change: For the first time, the government is focusing on triggering a collective behaviour change on a large scale instead of merely on the construction of toilets. Even the management information system of the government is counting communities and districts that have become open defecation free (ODF); earlier it was only counting the number of toilets.
Ensuring dignity of individuals: The large majority of our female citizens in rural India, no longer have to suffer the indignity of having to go out into the open to defecate. It marks a sea change in the dignity of their daily life.
Speed of Construction: The speed with which toilets are being constructed has also gained momentum.
Sustainability: There is a renewed focus on verification and sustainability of ODF status by monitoring toilet use.
Human Resources: Money has been allocated on a scale hitherto unheard of to hire the staff needed to mobilise communities around sanitation. Half a million ‘Swachhagrahis’ have been deployed in villages and districts. There has occurred an empanelment of key resource centres at the national level for capacity building on collective behaviour change.
Awareness: There is focus on senior male members of households to sensitise them through collective behaviour change (through Darwaza Band campaign). Use of social media for creating awareness is also happening. ‘Swachhata Preraks’ have been deployed in each district to support the district magistrates directly. Training of district officials is creating a new momentum.
Waste Management: There is a new focus on ODF plus, i.e. solid and liquid waste management. This is done with a view to incentivise sustainability of ODF status. Special sustainability funds and fund allocation to states on performance is also ongoing.
Challenges
The Way Ahead:
Usage of twin-pit technology need to be encouraged as it is a “complete treatment plant” in itself. In contrast to a septic tank, the total cost of a twin-pit toilet is no more than Rs 12, 000, and it does not need to be emptied – since its contents become ordinary manure once left to dry for a year.
Connecting the Dots:
Note:
Swachh Survekshan: Undertaken by the Quality Council of India to check the progress and impact of SBA. The parameters of evaluation included