What is Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)?
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) is a flagship central government scheme launched in 2014 by the Indian government. The scheme focused on improving sanitation facilities and hygiene practices within the villages and other rural areas.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) scheme also aims to create a cleaner environment, decrease health risks, and improve society through improved waste management systems. Its introduction was an important step towards identifying and achieving national hygiene goals.
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Overview
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) was initiated on October 2, 2014. The primary objective was to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) India by Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in 2019.
Its broader goals include improving the general quality of life in rural areas, promoting cleanliness, and reducing preventable diseases. The scheme also focused on accelerating sanitation coverage in rural areas and universal access to sanitation facilities across the country.
Key Components of SBM-G
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) comprises several important components. Each of these components plays an important role in making the scheme successful. The key components of SBM-G are as follows:
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Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs): Subsidies provided for the construction of toilets for individual households. Citizens can also seek an SBM Gramin Toilet Apply online for support.
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Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs): These are public facilities constructed in areas where individual household latrines are not possible, such as markets or religious places.
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Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM): The mission supports villages in managing their solid and liquid waste effectively. It covers initiatives like composting pits, greywater management, and plastic waste management.
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Information, Education, and Communication (IEC): Extensive campaigns were run to raise awareness about hygiene practices and the importance of sanitation. Behavioural change was considered to be an important element.
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Capacity Building: Training and support were offered to local bodies and implementers for the effective execution of the mission objectives.
Phases of Implementation
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) was implemented in two different phases, each with specific targets and focus areas. These phases were:
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SBM-G Phase I (2014-2019): This phase focused on achieving ODF status across all villages in India. Significant progress was made during this period, resulting in a substantial increase in toilet coverage. Villages were certified ODF following strict protocols.
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SBM-G Phase II (2020-2025): Building upon the success of Phase I, this phase, known as ODF Plus, focused on sustaining ODF status. It also emphasised on the systematic management of solid and liquid waste, ensuring that villages remain visibly clean.
ODF Plus Framework
The ODF Plus initiative under SBM-G Phase II of the rural sanitation scheme has a comprehensive framework designed to ensure overall rural sanitation. The framework includes criteria for the following:
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ODF Sustainability: Ensuring no person practices open defecation in the village at any point.
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Solid Waste Management (SWM): Arranging for the collection, segregation, and safe disposal of solid waste.
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Liquid Waste Management (LWM): Managing household and community wastewater, including greywater and faecal sludge.
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Visual Cleanliness: Maintaining general cleanliness around public spaces and water bodies.
Key Mechanisms of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)
Some of the important mechanisms related to the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), since its inception, are as follows:
Financial Incentives for IHHL
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The mission provided financial incentives, typically around ₹12,000, for constructing IHHLs.
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This amount was a combination of central and state contributions.
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These funds were directly disbursed to eligible beneficiaries, which helped offset construction costs.
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It enabled many rural households to build toilets.
Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Approach
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A core mechanism of SBM-G was the adoption of the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach.
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This approach triggers collective behavioural change by facilitating communities to recognise the health impacts of open defecation.
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It fosters local ownership and collective action to achieve ODF status.
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The communities themselves identify and implement solutions for their sanitation challenges.
Technology and Monitoring
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Extensive use of Information Technology (IT) platforms and mobile applications was crucial for monitoring progress.
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Geotagging of IHHLs and real-time updates on construction status were standard practices.
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This transparency and continuous monitoring helped in tracking achievements and identifying areas needing intervention.
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It allowed for efficient resource allocation and accountability.
Benefits and Impact
The Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin benefits are multi-faceted, which have impacted health, environment, and social equity. The benefits of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) are as follows:
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Public health improved significantly due to reduced exposure to faecal contamination.
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Environmental pollution also saw a reduction. Women and girls, in particular, experienced enhanced safety and dignity by having access to private toilets.
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The overall quality of life in rural areas demonstrated significant improvement, which is a major positive outcome.
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It also generated several local employment opportunities.
Application and Guidelines
Interested beneficiaries seeking support for household toilet construction in the rural areas can approach their respective Gram Panchayats.
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Information regarding the SBM Gramin online apply processes is available through government portals and local administrative bodies.
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The Ministry of Jal Shakti issues comprehensive SBM Gramin guidelines that detail eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, and implementation procedures.
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These guidelines ensure standardised and transparent execution across the country.