OREANDA-NEWS. In a far reaching initiative, the Ministry of Urban Development has withdrawn itself from appraisal and approval of various project proposals under the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ to be implemented in all the 4,041 statutory towns and cities across the country. As per the implementation guidelines approved by the Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, urban local bodies (ULBs) and state/UT governments have been fully empowered to propose and approve the projects. ULBs have been authorized to prepare, sanction and implement projects in respect of constructing individual household toilets besides community and public toilets, under the broad directions of state/UT governments. Solid Waste Management project proposals of ULBs will be approved by state/UT governments. Shri Venkaiah Naidu has preferred this decentralization to augment capacities of ULBs besides enabling quicker implementation of the Mission, under which cleanliness is to be ensured by the year 2019.

Out of the total project cost of Rs.62,009 cr, central assistance would be Rs.14,623 cr while the states/UTs would be required to contribute Rs.4,874 cr. Under different components of Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas, states would make a matching contribution of 25% of the share of central government. This share in respect of North-Eastern and Special Category States would be 10% of central share. Accordingly, a private investment of Rs.42,512 cr is being targeted under Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas.

Component-wise, central government will provide an incentive of Rs.4,000/- in respect of each individual household toilet to be built, 40% as Grant or Viability Gap Fund(VGF) for community toilets and 20% Grant/VGF in respect of Solid Waste Management Projects. Public toilets will be built entirely with private investment.

Public toilets are to be provided for the floating population or general public in places such as markets, railways stations, tourist places, near office complexes or such other public areas. To finance building of public toilets, States and ULBs would identify land and leverage the same and advertisements to encourage private sector investments for construction and maintenance through PPP agreement.

Community toilets are a shared facility provided by and for a group of residents or an entire settlement, primarily, for the benefit of low income and informal settlements/slums, where space/land is a constraint in providing a household toilet.

In respect of individual household toilets, beneficiaries could be even from unauthorized colonies, notified or non-notified slums also along with those from authorized colonies.

15% of the total central allocation i.e Rs.2,139 cr has been earmarked for behavior change communication to sensitize urbanites about open defecation, proper use and maintenance of toilets, prevention of manual scavenging, hygiene practices etc., and related health and environmental consequences. An amount of Rs.428 cr will be used for capacity building of urban local bodies.

In yet another innovation, 20% of central share i.e Rs.2,924 cr has been earmarked as Performance Fund out of which allocation will be made to performing States/UTs based on physical performance in respect of states objectives.

Swachh Bharat Mission(Urban) seeks to eliminate open defecation and manual scavenging besides promoting modern and scientific Municipal Solid Waste Management and realizing behavioral changes regarding healthy sanitation practices.

Under this Mission, it is targeted to build one crore individual household toilets besides 2.52 crore community toilet seats and 2.56 crore community toilet seats. Over 30 crore urbanites are to be assisted with solid waste management practices.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) will have a three-tier management structure. At the centre, the National Advisory and Review Committee (NARC) will be headed by Secretary(UD) and will have representatives of concerned ministries. NARC’s role will be overall monitoring, advising States/UTs on innovative resource mobilization besides monitoring outcomes. At the level of States/UTs, a High Powered Committee chaired by Chief Secretary will prepare State Sanitation Strategy, empanel consultants for preparation of Detailed Project Reports, approve solid waste management proposals of ULBs and monitor outcomes and O&M arrangements. At the bottom, there will be District Level Review and Monitoring Committees.

With the issuance of Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines, the Ministry of Urban Development would soon begin release of funds to States/UTs.