The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal, and the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Harish Rawat, today called on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and submitted the final report of the sub-group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

The Prime Minister complimented the Chief Ministers for their efforts. He said that the task of accomplishing Swachh Bharat, though difficult, is not impossible to achieve.

The Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan was constituted on March 24, 2015 pursuant to the decision taken in the first Governing Council Meeting of the NITI Aayog held on February 8, 2015. The Sub-Group consisted of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and West Bengal as Members with Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh as the Convener of the Sub-Group. The Sub-Group met four times at New Delhi, Chandigarh and Bengaluru where intense deliberations on the subject were held.

The Terms of Reference of the Sub-Group included the following (i) To examine financial requirements for comprehensive implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission and suggest measures for meeting budgetary needs; (ii) To recommend robust institutional mechanisms for effective implementation; (iii) To recommend measures for technological support for different components of SBM, including solid and liquid waste management in rural and urban areas; (iv) To examine models for private sector participation in the Swachh Bharat Mission and to suggest ways for substantial improvement in participation of private sector and civil society organisations for effective implementation; (v) To recommend ways to make the SBM sustainable; and (vi) Any other measures.

The main recommendations of the report include bringing the behavior change and encouraging positive habits related to sanitation and cleanliness among the people. To bring about this transformation, a professionally driven behaviour change communication strategy and increasing the funding for the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) component of the Mission, has been suggested. Including sanitation and cleanliness in school curriculum and formation of a team of students to be called as ‘Swachhta Senani’ in schools and colleges have been proposed to spread awareness about sanitation and cleanliness.

Given the scale and importance of the programme, it has been suggested that the sharing pattern of funds for this programme between Centre and States may be in the ratio of 75:25, while for hilly States it may be kept at 90:10. To raise resources for the programme, Swachh Bharat bonds may be issued and a Swachh Bharat cess may be levied by the Central Government on petrol, diesel, telecom services and also on accumulated waste produced by plants generating mineral waste like coal, aluminum, and iron ore.

To provide guidance, support and monitoring of the programme, the report recommends setting up of a dedicated Mission for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, both at National and State Level. A National Technical Board has been recommended to handhold the States and Local Bodies in identification, evaluation, selection and procurement of technologies. It has been recommended to reduce the subsidy on chemical fertilizer and increase the subsidy on compost to encourage its use. In order to improve the viability of waste management activities, the report proposes provision of tax exemptions by the Centre and the State Government to the private sector.

The report recommends certain measures to attract private sector participation and Public Private Partnership (PPP). It has been recommended that waste to energy plants may be set up on PPP mode in bigger municipalities and cluster of municipalities, whereas, composting method may be adopted for smaller towns and villages.

Measures for operation and maintenance of community and public toilets have been proposed, including different measures for rural and urban areas. To resolve inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues, a common platform may be provided by NITI Aayog. It is proposed that NITI Aayog may develop an objective assessment framework for assessing Open Defecation Free (ODF) and ODF plus.

Incentive measures have been proposed such as Swachh Bharat Grading/Rating for all Gram Panchayats, Municipalities, Blocks, Districts and States, each year to promote competition among them. Further, it has been recommended that one day in each month and one week each year (culminating with 2nd October) may be assigned for the activities of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and to reward best performing Gram Panchayat, Block, ULB, District and State as per the ratings. The report proposes to enhance the assistance for construction of one unit of individual household toilet in both urban and rural areas to Rs. 15,000/-.

The report recommends integration of rag pickers into the waste management system so that their livelihood is not adversely affected. Further, both Centre and States should make efforts towards eradication of manual scavenging activity through strict enforcement of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. All laws and rules on waste management need to be reviewed for ensuring their strict enforcement.

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“Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan a Game Changer; Karnataka Congress Rolling Back Dignity and Rights,” Says BJP Minister on Disability Budget Slash
December 03, 2024

On the occasion of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’s anniversary, Dr. Virendra Kumar; Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment of India, spotlighted the central government’s unfaltering dedication to building an inclusive and accessible society for all. Reflecting on the progress achieved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership, Dr. Kumar emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative, marking another significant milestone in India's journey toward true inclusivity.

Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasized the remarkable strides achieved in creating a barrier-free and inclusive India. He spotlighted the flagship initiative promoting universal accessibility in public spaces, transportation, and digital platforms. “The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan has been a game-changer in promoting universal accessibility in public spaces, transportation, and digital platforms. This initiative reflects the PM Modi government’s belief that true progress can only be achieved when every citizen, regardless of physical ability, is empowered to reach their full potential,” he remarked.

Dr. Kumar highlighted the transformative initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, emphasizing their profound impact on empowering differently-abled individuals. He noted how PM Modi redefined societal attitudes by encouraging the use of the term Divyang(divine-abled) instead of Viklang(disabled), promoting a more socially inclusive, respectful and dignified life for them. He also underscored the landmark Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, which expanded the definition of disability from 7 to 21 categories, ensuring equal opportunities in education, employment, and social participation. Dr. Kumar commended the government's initiatives to support differently-abled individuals in various fields. He highlighted the remarkable accomplishments of India's para-athletes, who earned 19 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and an impressive 29 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. These successes, he said, reflect the inclusive policies and solid support provided by the Modi government.

Turning his attention to recent developments in Karnataka, Dr. Kumar expressed grave concern over the government’s alarming decision to slash funding for differently-abled individuals by an unprecedented 80%. He emphasized that on one hand, while the central government is making all possible efforts to empower the Divyang community, Congress on the other, is once again showing its true colors by disregarding their needs and undermining their dignity.

“Congress has hit a new low, stooping to strip Divyangjans of their dignity and rights, all in the name of cheap vote-bank politics. They prioritize freebies over fundamental human respect,” he said.

Dr. Virendra Kumar stated, “The decision to reduce the budget for differently-abled individuals from ₹53 crore to a paltry ₹10 crore in the year 2024-25 is nothing short of a betrayal which is detrimental to the progress and empowerment of this vital section of society. At a time when the central government is accelerating efforts to build a barrier-free and inclusive India, such a move undermines these collective achievements.”

He added, “Karnataka is home to over 1.3 million differently-abled individuals. Reducing their allocated resources will severely impact their access to education, employment, and essential support services, putting their futures at stake.”

Dr. Kumar highlighted that the budget cut reflects a blatant disregard for marginalized communities, calling it a striking example of indifference. He emphasized Congress's long-standing pattern of prioritizing political interests over public welfare, describing this decision as a new low. The reduction, he stated, directly jeopardizes the lives of thousands of differently-abled individuals who depend on this funding for access to education, employment opportunities, and vital support services.

Dr. Kumar concluded by stating, “As we celebrate the 9th anniversary of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, I urge all state governments to align with the central government’s vision of accessibility and inclusivity. I specifically call on the Karnataka government to reconsider its decision and restore funding to support differently-abled individuals. Only then can we build a truly accessible and inclusive India.”