OREANDA-NEWS. Steep Increase in Central Assistance for Swachh Bharat Projects in Urban Areas

75% more Support for Solid Waste Management and Toilet Construction

Construction of Urinals also now Allowed

Ministry of Urban Development has announced a steep increase in central assistance to various projects under Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas. Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu has approved a 75% increase in central assistance for Municipal Solid Waste Management and 45% hike for construction of Community Toilets. Construction of Public toilets is now made eligible for central assistance while allowing construction of urinals which was not originally envisageD under Mission Guidelines.

Shri Venkaiah Naidu has directed a review of Swachh Bharat Mission Guidelines based on the inputs from the State Governments and Urban Local Bodies seeking more central assistance and approved AN increase in the same for various components of the Mission.

Under the revised Guidelines;

1.Central funding for municipal solid waste management projects viz., procurement of dustbins, tippers, solid waste collection and transportation equipment, setting up waste processing plants etc., now stands increased to 35% of project cost from the earlier 20%;

2. Central support for construction of community toilets has been increased to Rs.39,200/- per seat from the earlier Rs.27,000/- per seat;

3. Construction of public toilets is now made eligible for central assistance @ Rs.39,200/- per seat while no such support was allowed earlier;

4. Construction of urinals, not envisageD under the original Guidelines is now made eligible for central support @ Rs.12,800/- per seat based on the suggestions received.

Under Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas, construction of 1.04 crore individual household toilets and 5.08 community and public toilet seats and 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste in all the 4,041 statutory towns in the country is targeted.

Till date, 115 towns and 8,103 municipal wards have become Open Defecation Free (ODF). Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat besides the Union Territory of Chandigarh have resolved to become ODF by March next year.