Speed up Swachh Bharat implementation, state told

The Centre on Tuesday asked Karnataka to expedite implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission and mandatory reforms to be undertaken under the Smart City project.

“The state needs to give stress on Swachh Bharat Mission. The target (in 2015-16) has not been achieved. The Centre's contribution for the construction of toilets under the mission is 40%. The state should share the balance and take up toilet construction,” said Secretary to Union Urban Development Ministry, Rajiv Gauba. He was speaking at a meeting to review the progress of Swachh Bharat mission, Amrut Cities and Smart City projects, here on Tuesday.

Earlier, Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) N Manjula informed the meeting that Swachh Bharat Mission was proceeding in a slow pace in Karnataka. A total of 9,000 individual toilets and 785 public toilets have been constructed in the state against the target of 1.4 lakh and 4,000 respectively in 2015-16. Of the Rs 350 crore sanctioned by the Centre, only about Rs 100 crore has been utilised. However, Karnataka has done well as far as solid waste management is concerned, she added.

Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary to Karnataka Urban Development department, said that Rs 5,300 provided by the Centre per toilet was inadequate.

“The actual cost of toilet construction is much higher. Hence, the Centre should increase its funding. The state had received 2.5 lakh applications for construction of toilets of which about 1.80 lakh applications have been approved. But, the less government funding is not motivating people to take up the construction,” he pointed out.

Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav directed the DMA to revise the action plan for construction of public toilets. The plan should be based on the current population, not the 2011 census data, he said.

DMA Director Manjula further said the state government would soon unveil a waste-to-energy policy. About 200 metric tonne-capacity waste-to-energy plants will be developed in each of the 4 revenue divisions to begin with, including Bengaluru.