National Launch of 10 Year Rural Sanitation Strategy (2019-2029)

National Launch of 10 Year Rural Sanitation Strategy (2019-2029)

Question: Recently, the 10 year Rural Sanitation Strategy has been launched by which Ministry?
(a)Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(b) Ministry of Rural Development
(c) Ministry of Jal Shakti
(d) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
Answer: (c)
Related facts:

  • The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI launched the 10 Year Rural Sanitation Strategy (2019-2029) on 27th September 2019.
  • The strategy was launched in the presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,Union Minister, Jal Shakti Ministry.

Aim

  • To focus on sustaining the sanitation behavior change that has been achieved under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G), ensuring that no one is left behind, and increasing access to solid and liquid waste management.

Strategic Plan-highlights

  • Since the launch of the SBM-G in 2014, over 10 crore toilets have been built in rural areas; over 5.9 lakh villages, 699 districts, and 35 States/UTs have declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).
  • This strategy has been prepared by DDWS, in consultation with State Governments and other stakeholders, and it lays down a framework to guide local governments, policy makers, implementers and other relevant stakeholders in their planning for ODF Plus, where everyone uses a toilet, and every village has access to solid and liquid waste management.

Key Points

  • The 10 year strategy focuses on the need for States/UTs to continue their efforts to sustain the gains of the mission through capacity strengthening, IEC (Information, education and communication), organic waste management, plastic waste management, grey water management and black water management.
  • The strategy also speaks about potential collaborations with development partners, civil society and inter-government partnerships.
  • It also highlights innovative models for sanitation financing.
  • Keeping in mind Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary on 2nd October 2019, the State Government have been advised to ensure that no one is left behind, and in case any household does not have access to a toilet, they are facilitated to build a toilet on priority.

Links:
https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193469
http://vikaspedia.in/news/national-launch-of-10-year-rural-sanitation-strategy