Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II guidelines released
Overview
The surface and ground water has been destroyed by dumping of untreated fecal sludge.
Safe toilets with well managed black and grey water are the need of the hour.
This becomes even more important in rural areas where on-site sanitation is the only solution.
The guidelines talk about
Building more toilets
Building community toilets to include everyone
Availability of adequate water
Water storage facilities for the toilets
However, they do not mention how water availability to the toilets will be connected.
Few things which are not still clear in the guidelines such as
availability of water in toilets
solutions to make mission a success
Only recharging groundwater by Greywater has been mentioned in the guidelines.
The Department of Drinking water and Sanitation released a 10 year strategy in September 2019 on SBM-II.
The strategy focused on proper implementation (in rural areas) of solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) including-
Plastic waste
Organic waste
Grey water
Fecal sludge
The first SBM made the country՚s districts open-defecation free (ODF) in October 2019.
The SBM II will be implemented by convergence of different Central and state schemes.
The programme will be implemented in coordination with
JJM for Greywater management
Finance Commission funds for co-financing of assets
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for dovetailing funds and functionaries
Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for skill development of field functionaries.
National rural Livelihood Mission for involving self-help groups as vehicles for behavior change communication
New National Biogas Organic Manure Programme scheme of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Sustainable alternative towards affordable transportation scheme of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan projects
SBM II will be implemented in a mission mode from 2020 - 21 to 2024 - 25.