HT Correspondent
ITANAGAR, Sept 1: Minister for Public Health Engineering and Water Supply (PHE & WS), Mama Natung, attended the round table conference and dialogue exchange convened by the Ministry of Jal Shakti at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, and highlighted the specific requirements of Arunachal Pradesh’s sanitation programme.
According to an official statement, the meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C R Patil, and reviewed the performance of states and Union Territories in the final year of implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) 2.0 (SBM-G).
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The meeting assumes significance as SBM-G 2.0 is scheduled to conclude in the current financial year, with its successor mission, SBM 3.0, expected to be launched from the next financial year.
During the review, Patil urged all states and Union Territories to expedite efforts to meet the targets of SBM-G 2.0 within the stipulated timeframe.
Representatives from across the country placed their concerns and suggestions before the Union Minister.
Placing the case of Arunachal Pradesh, Natung sought a review of the convergence of 30 per cent of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (FFC) funds with SBM, stressing the need for flexibility to meet the state’s unique geographical and developmental challenges.
He further appealed for enhancement of the 1 per cent administrative cost allocation for Arunachal, citing the additional expenses involved in implementing programmes in hilly and difficult terrain.
The Minister also pressed for an increase in the allocation for Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, recommending an enhancement from the existing 3 per cent to ensure better awareness and behavioural change campaigns in remote areas.
He additionally called for revising the rates for solid and liquid waste management, as well as plastic waste management, to strengthen long-term sustainability of sanitation initiatives in the state.
Accompanying Natung at the conference were Commissioner, PHED, Bidol Tayeng, IAS, and Chief Engineer (Sanitation), Er S Yoncha, who also participated in the deliberations.
According to the official statement, the round table provided an opportunity for states and Union Territories to share experiences and challenges, while contributing to the roadmap for the upcoming SBM 3.0.
Arunachal Pradesh’s submissions focused on bridging critical gaps in resources and support to ensure effective sanitation coverage in the state’s hilly and sparsely populated regions.
