Bonds, fuel cess to raise funds for Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan

Hyderabad: The sub-group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan headed by AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has recommended issuing “Swachh Bharat Bonds”, among other measures to raise additional resources for the programme.

It has also recommended the Centre to impose cess on petrol, diesel, and telecom services and on accumulated waste produced by plants generating mineral waste like coal, aluminum and iron ore.

Mr Naidu, along with CMs of Uttarakhand and Haryana, met the Prime in New Delhi on Wednesday and submitted the report.

The Chief Ministers’ sub-committee also recommended that given the scale and importance of the programme, the sharing pattern of funds for the programme between the Centre and states should be in the ratio of 75:25, while for hilly states it should be kept at 90:10.

To attract private sector participation andPPP, the sub-committee has 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.

The committee has proposed incentive measures such as Swachh Bharat grading/rating for all gram panchayats, municipalities, blocks, districts and states, each year to promote competition among them.

It has also been recommended that one day each month and one week each year (culminating with October 2) be assigned for Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan activities and to reward the best performing gram panchayat, block, urban local body, district and state as per the ratings.

The panel recommended enhancing the assistance for construction of one unit of individual household toilet in both urban and rural areas to Rs 15,000 to bring behavioral change and encouraging positive habits related to sanitation among the people.

The committee has recommended including sanitation and cleanliness in school curriculum and formation of a team of students to be called as “Swachhata Senani” in schools and colleges who will spread awareness about sanitation and cleanliness.

To provide guidance, support and monitoring of the programme, the committee recommended setting up of a dedicated mission for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, both at national and state level.

The committee has also recommended reducing the subsidy on chemical fertiliser and increasing the subsidy on compost to encourage its use.

In order to improve the viability of waste management activities, the committee has proposed provision of tax exemptions by the Centre and the state government to private entities. The committee has recommended 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, the committee recommended.