HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 12: A pivotal review meeting of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) in the North-Eastern (NE) region was held on Tuesday in Guwahati, chaired by minister of Jal Shakti, CR Patil, ministers of state for Rural Sanitation from Sikkim, Manipur, and Mizoram, secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ashok Kumar Kaluram Meena, along with senior colleagues – secretaries and mission directors from the state. The event highlighted the region’s commendable progress while addressing challenges to sustain the sanitation outcomes achieved under SBM-G Phase II.
The review showcased the strides made by the North-Eastern states, with 51 percent of villages achieving ODF Plus Model status. Sikkim emerged as a trailblazer with 100 percent coverage, followed by Mizoram (86 percent), Tripura (80 percent), and Assam (74 percent). The minister lauded these achievements, stating, “The North-East, despite its unique challenges, exemplifies resilience and innovation in sanitation. With collective efforts, we can achieve Sampoorna Swachhata by March 2025.”
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The meeting identified areas requiring immediate attention, including: Sustainable solid and liquid waste management (SLWM); functionality of WASH assets like community sanitary complexes and plastic waste management units; fund utilisation and submission of pending utilisation certificates to unlock tied grants; effective faecal sludge management (FSM) policies aligned with urban sanitation strategies.
The minister and secretary, DDWS, emphasised targeted solutions to address these gaps: Expedite the processing of pending individual household toilet (IHHL) applications within 15 days; conduct monthly District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings to ensure progress monitoring; leverage community engagement through self-help groups, youth, and local organisations for awareness and behaviour change; prepare for World Toilet Day 2024 under the campaign ‘Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman’.
Secretary, DDWS, highlighted, “The convergence of resources and collaboration among states and local bodies is key to sustaining SBM-G’s impact. The North-Eastern states are setting an example for the rest of the country in community-driven sanitation models.”
Participants were encouraged to adopt innovative waste management practices while integrating traditional approaches. States were also urged to strengthen training for retrofitting and sustainable asset management, ensuring that all created assets are fully functional and impactful.
With the target of achieving ODF Plus Model status for all villages by March 2025, the review reiterated the importance of timely action and focused strategies. The minister concluded, “Let us ensure the progress achieved over the past decade is not only sustained but elevated, making the North-East a shining example of rural sanitation for the nation.”
