Swachh Bharat Abhiyan approved by Cabinet

The Union Cabinet has granted its approval for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) which will be officially launched on October 2, 2014.
The main goal of the programme is a clean India with all gram panchayats being open defecation free by 2019.
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) will last a span of five years and cover 4,041 statutory towns. The earlier mission on sanitation, Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, will be restructured into Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Rural). The urban component of SBA will be implemented by the Ministry  of Urban Development, and the rural component by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. The total outlay is Rs. 62,009 crores with Rs. 14,623 coming from the Centre.
The scheme aims to stop open defecation through construction of IHHL (individual household latrines), cluster toilets and community toilets (especially through PPP mode). Solid and liquid waste management also forms an important component of the programme. Major thrust is being given to information, education and communication of importance of cleanliness.
A cleanliness drive under SBA was launched on September 27 in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. and will last till October 2. The Swachh Bharat-Swachh Vidyalaya campaign involving schools where cleanliness drives will be conducted, was launched by the Minister for Human Resources Development. A multi media campaign promoting cleanliness, sanitation and hygiene and focusing on creating awareness will be launched on October 2 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Also, in a CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative, L&T has announced that it shall construct 5,000 toilets across India. Significantly, the SBA identifies CSR initiatives as one of the sources for the programme’s funding.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2014

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs