Union Budget 2019-20: Focus shifts to SBM phase 2, women’s role in it
The mission will now aim to turn waste into energy and better solid waste management in rural areas
In the Parliament on July 19, 2018
Here’s a round-up of today’s debates and reports on environmental and developmental issues
Gram panchayats get more funds for Swachh Bharat activities
Mandatory for lowest tier elected bodies to use half the funds allocated under 15th Finance Commission
Swachh Bharat is now about toilets built, not change in attitude: Experts
At a book launch in New Delhi, sanitation experts say the scheme has defeated the purpose of community-led total sanitation approach
Building toilets won’t make India open defecation free: World Bank study
The research analysed attitudes of people in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, all of whom had toilets in their houses. Almost half were unwilling …
This is what Africa can learn from India's sanitation story
Despite the limitations of the Indian model of sanitation, Africa can draw inspiration from its many positive aspects
The plastic trail of the Ganga from mountain to sea
Despite campaigns for cleanliness, India has ignored the massive proliferation of plastics along rivers like the Ganga, in towns and villages, …
Sanitation workers: They clean our poop and face a lot of dangers; here is how
Is Swachh Bharat being achieved at the cost of the health and safety of sanitation workers? Or by funding for infrastructure?
Govt launches new framework to sustain India’s ‘100% ODF status’
The Centre will proclaim India to be 100% ODF on October 2 and the new framework envisages its strategy to maintain that status
Open defecation in an ODF district in Rajasthan
Here's a travelogue to four tribal villages in Rajasthan's Sirohi district, which has been declared open-defecation free; but there are …
What’s holding back India’s complete ODF status?
A few laggard states needing appropriate technology and behavioural intervention are the final hurdle in order to achieve 100% household coverage …
Minister claims Ganga will be 70-80% cleaner by March 2019, but is it realistic?
So far, the government has focussed largely on curbing flow of untreated sewage into the river, but not on managing faecal sludge
Swachh Bharat Mission: Nilgiris sets example of community effort
More than 100,000 tribals, dalits and women raised a loan of Rs 20 crore to build toilets, after the incentive of Rs 12,000 per household was …
Swachh Bharat Mission: Persuasion pays off in Uttar Pradesh
Benda village sets an example by achieving ODF status before the state despite facing a severe drought
As ODF deadline nears, govt should focus on key areas
While we near the deadline of October 2, 2019 for ODF, concerns like non-functional toilets, poor sewage and drainage systems, lack of water, and …
Despite toilets in place, a quarter of rural population stuck to open defecation
New study on changes in open defecation in rural North India says pace of toilet construction increased under Swachh Bharat Mission, but there …
In hurry to build 40 toilets a minute, did govt forget about safe sanitation?
CAG reports of Gujarat and Uttarakhand, which are ODF status holders, say many toilets only exist on paper and several are defunct
Swachh Bharat Mission: The last push
Over 100 million toilets in five years took a lot of effort; the change is showing now
Open-defecation-free Kandhamal: Only if the toilets would work
Toilets built under Swachh Bharat Mission did not have twin-pits for excreta collection or water supply, claimed villagers
Treat sanitation as public good: UN at launch of hygiene fund
The initiative aims to accelerate funding to countries with the heaviest burden of diseases stemming from lack of sanitation services
India lags in drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities: Study
The Harvard University study is based on the performance of India’s 543 parliamentary constituencies on — unsafe disposal of child …
Swachh Bharat Mission: Let the toilet revolution live long
The start has been promising and exciting. Now the challenge is to sustain the ODF tag and ensure that the pollution is checked
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: What are the barriers for toilet construction
Ability to raise the initial funds, lack of space in urban slums and lack of awareness is hampering the sanitation programme
The struggle to get inclusive education to south Odisha’s tribal children
Already marginalised, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on tribal groups, especially children in Koraput; but civil society is trying its best to …
Swachh Bharat Mission: Women take the lead in Himachal Pradesh
The state, with almost 60% of panchayats headed by women, tackled open defection by resolving the water crisis. It was declared open-defecation …