Cabinet approves Phase II of Swachh Bharat Mission

On February 19, 2020, the Union Cabinet approved on implementing the phase II of Swachh Bharat Mission. The phase II of the mission will focus on Open Defecation Free Plus.

Highlights

The budget allocated for phase II of the mission is Rs 52,497 crores. The mission in this phase is to converge with Jal Jeevan Mission and MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act).

Apart from the focus maintaining the status of Open Defecation Free, the mission also aims to provide rural employment. It is to be monitored under 4 key areas namely bio-degradable solid waste management, plastic  waste management, fecal sludge management and greywater management.

Jal Jeevan Mission

The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in August 2019. The mission aims to provide tap water to all the households by 2024. It also focuses on desilting minor irrigation tanks and using grey water for agriculture.

Financial Assistance

An incentive of Rs 12,000 is to be provided for the construction of individual household toilet. An additional financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs is to be provided for Gram Panchayats to construct Community managed Sanitary Complexes.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2020