The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a comprehensive policy to enhance rural sanitation across the state. This initiative aims to ensure the effective operation and long-term maintenance of sanitation infrastructure in gram panchayats, aligning with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural).

The policy focuses on key areas such as solid and liquid waste management, plastic waste disposal, faecal sludge management, and the construction of biogas units under the Gobardhan Yojana. Efforts are also being strengthened to improve the construction and maintenance of individual and community toilets.

Significant progress has been made in declaring villages Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus, supported by funds from the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), the 15th Central Finance Commission, the State Finance Commission, and MGNREGA. Currently, 85,827 out of 96,174 villages have been recognized as model ODF Plus villages.

To build on these achievements, a detailed policy draft has been developed under the leadership of the Director of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with development partners and relevant departments. The new policy aims to create a sustainable waste management system at the gram panchayat level, empowering local bodies to become self-reliant in handling sanitation infrastructure. Panchayats will receive guidelines to maintain waste management centres, toilets, and drainage systems efficiently.

Additionally, the installation of biogas units under the Gobardhan Yojana will contribute to clean energy production, converting waste into valuable resources. Unlike earlier approaches that treated sanitation as a one-time initiative, this policy integrates cleanliness into the routine governance of gram panchayats.

The government has set a target to achieve complete sanitation in all gram panchayats by 2025, with a focus on improving health, preserving the environment, and boosting the rural economy through a collaborative, sustainable development model.

News source: The Week