What is the need for launching SBM ?

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) place significant emphasis on sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene.

• There is significant evidence globally that better sanitation, hygiene and cleanliness helps in effective control of various vector borne diseases, parasite infections and nutritional deficiencies.

• There have been studies linking cleanliness and hygiene with reduction in respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, psychological issues and allergic conditions.

• As per UNICEF report, almost 90 % of the children deaths are caused due to contaminated water, lack of sanitation and inadequate hygiene.

What is Swachh Bharat Mission for Urban Areas is all about ?

• The programme includes elimination of open defecation, conversion of unsanitary toilets to pour flush toilets, eradication of manual scavenging, municipal solid waste management and bringing about a behavioural change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices. • The mission aims to cover 1.04 crore households, provide 2.5 lakh community toilets, 2.6 lakh public toilets, and a solid waste management facility in each town.

• Under the programme, community toilets will be built in residential areas where it is difficult to construct individual household toilets. Public toilets will also be constructed in designated locations such as tourist places, markets, bus stations, railway stations, etc.

• The programme will be implemented over a five-year period in 4,401 towns.

• The expected assistance for construction of community toilets - Central Government will contribute upto 40% of the cost of construction of community toilet as a VGF/ outright grant.

• As per SBM guidelines, the States/UTs shall provide an additional 13.33% for the said component.

• The balance shall have to be arranged through innovative mechanisms by the urban local body.

• Rs 62,009 crore is likely to be spent on the programme.

• Of this, the Centre will pitch in Rs 14,623 crore. Of the Centre’s share of Rs 14,623 crore, Rs 7,366 crore will be spent on solid waste management, Rs 4,165 crore on individual household toilets, Rs 1,828 crore on public awareness and Rs 655 crore on community toilets

What are the other initiatives ?

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016

• The SWM Rules, 2016 mandate the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to co-ordinate with State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees and review the implementation of the Rules.

• CPCB has issued directions to the secretary-in-charge of state urban development departments of all States/UTs for implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and to constitute State Level Advisory Body (SLAB).

• CPCB has also issued directions to the commissioners of municipal authorities of 53 metro-cities and 18 state capitals and specifically to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to direct various authorities for effective waste management.

• The SWM Rules, 2016 mandate all resident welfare and market associations, gated communities, institutions, hotels, restaurants, vegetable, fruit, flower, meat, poultry and fish market to ensure segregation of waste at source.

Swachh Survekshan

• Central Government launched ‘Swachh Survekshan’ to rank all the 4,041 cities and towns of the country based on infrastructure development for improved sanitation services and their sustainability, outcomes, citizen connect and visible impact on ground.

• The methodology and weightages for Swachh Surekshan have been modified regularly to certain extent based on extensive consultations with city and state governments, experts and other stakeholders and in line with the progress of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).

Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities :

• The star-rating initiative, developed by the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban will be rating cities on a 7-star rating system based on multiple cleanliness indicators for solid waste management, which will include Door to Door Collection, bulk generator compliance, source segregation, sweeping, scientific processing of waste, scientific land filling, plastic waste management, construction and demolition management, dump remediation & citizen grievance redressal system etc