In a move to ensure smooth implementation of various proposals under the ‘Swachchh Bharat Mission’ through decentralisation, the Centre has empowered the State Governments to propose and approve the projects.
“The Urban Development Ministry has withdrawn itself from appraisal and approval of various project proposals under the ‘Swachchh Bharat Mission’ to be implemented in all the 4,041 statutory towns and cities across the country,” said a senior official from the Ministry. He said that as per the implementation guidelines approved by UD Minister, Venkaiah Naidu, Urban local Bodies (UlBs) and State/UT governments have been fully empowered to propose and approve the projects.
“UlBs have been authorised to prepare, sanction and implement projects in respect of constructing individual household toilets besides community and public toilets as well as solid waste management, under the broad directions of the States. The decentralisation aims to augment capacities of UlBs besides enabling quicker implementation of the Mission, under which cleanliness is to be ensured by the year 2019.
Out of the total project cost of Rs62,009 crore, Central assistance would be Rs14,623 crore while the States/UTs would be required to contribute Rs4,874 crore. Under different components of Swachchh Bharat Mission in urban areas, States would make a matching contribution of 25 per cent of the share of Central Government. Accordingly, a private investment of Rs42,512 crore is being targeted under Swachchh Bharat Mission in urban areas.
In yet another innovation, 20 per cent of central share i.e., Rs2,924 crore has been earmarked as Performance Fund out of which allocation will be made to performing States/UTs based on physical performance in respect of States objectives, the official said.