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Major schemes of the central government to improve Rural sanitation
- The central government has been implementing schemes to improve access to sanitation in rural areas from the First Five Year Plan (1951-56) onwards.
- Rural sanitation is a State’s Last subject in the Indian Constitution.
- The Central government supplements the States effort by providing financial and technical assistance in dealing with rural
Major sanitation schemes of the central government Central Rural Sanitation Programme (1986)
- It was one of the first schemes of the central government which focused solely on rural sanitation.
- The programme sought to construct household toilets, construct sanitary complexes for women, establish sanitary marts
- Ensure solid and liquid waste management
Total Sanitation Campaign (1999):
- It was launched in 1999 with a greater focus on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities
- Key components of the Total Sanitation Campaign included:
- Financial assistance for the construction of household toilets for rural BPL families.
- Community sanitary complexes construction.
- Toilet construction in government schools and Anganwadis.
- Funds for IEC activities.
- Assistance to rural sanitary marts.
- Solid and liquid waste management.
Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (2012):
- Total Sanitation Campaign Abhiyan (NBA) was replaced by the Nirmal Bharat
- The key shifts in NBA were:
- Focus Coverage for the whole community instead of a focus on individual houses.
- Inclusion of certain households which were above the poverty line.
- More fund allocation for IEC activities, with 15% of funds at the district level earmarked for IEC
Rural Sanitary Mart
- The main aim of having an RSM is to provide materials, services and guidance needed for constructing different types of latrines and other sanitary facilities, which are technologically and financially suitable to the area
Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (2014):
- The campaign aims to achieve the vision of a ‘Clean India’ by 2nd October 2019.
- NBA was replaced by Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (SBM-G) which is a sub-mission under Swachh Bharat Mission.
Namami Gange Programme:
- Launched in 2014, Namami Gange aims to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga River, a critical water source for millions in rural India.
- It includes components related to sanitation infrastructure development in villages along the river, promoting wastewater treatment and solid waste management practices.
- By improving sanitation along the Ganga, Namami Gange not only contributes to cleaner rivers but also promotes better hygiene and health in rural communities.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):
- While not solely focused on sanitation, MGNREGA plays a crucial role in supporting rural sanitation initiatives. It allows gram panchayats to utilize MGNREGA funds for constructing toilet blocks, solid waste management facilities, and drainage systems in rural areas.
- MGNREGA provides the necessary labor and financial resources for communities to undertake sanitation projects, contributing to improved sanitation infrastructure and hygiene practices.
Aanganwadi Services:
- Delivered through a network of Aanganwadi centers, these services provide crucial health and nutrition support to pregnant women, mothers, and young children in rural areas.
- They include promoting hygiene practices, educating mothers about sanitation and proper waste disposal, and encouraging the use of toilets.
These are just a few of the major central government schemes aimed at improving rural sanitation in India. By working together at various levels – from community mobilization to technological innovations – these initiatives continue to strive towards a cleaner, healthier, and more dignified future for rural India.