Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) Phase II, launched in 2020-21, focuses on sustaining the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and implementing ODF Plus activities. While Phase I focused on providing toilet access to eliminate open defecation, Phase II emphasizes the management of Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) in rural areas to achieve total sanitation. The mission is implemented under the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Core Objectives of SBM-G Phase II
The primary mandate of Phase II is to ensure that no one is left behind and that the gains made during the first phase are sustained through robust infrastructure and community engagement.
- Sustaining the ODF status of all villages across the country.
- Achieving ODF Plus status, which includes ODF sustainability and visual cleanliness.
- Ensuring effective management of biodegradable solid waste, plastic waste, and greywater at the village level.
- Improving the quality of life in rural areas by promoting hygienic practices.
ODF Plus Classification Framework
The mission categorizes villages into three distinct stages of ODF Plus, enabling a structured approach to sanitation development.
| Category | Definition |
| ODF Plus Aspiring | Villages that have sustained ODF status and have arrangements for solid or liquid waste management. |
| ODF Plus Rising | Villages that have sustained ODF status and have arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management. |
| ODF Plus Model | Villages that have sustained ODF status, possess systems for solid and liquid waste management, and maintain high levels of visual cleanliness with effective information, education, and communication (IEC) activities. |
Key Components of SBM-G Phase II
Implementation is centered on comprehensive waste management strategies designed for decentralized handling at the village level.
- Biodegradable Solid Waste Management: Encouraging households to adopt household-level composting and promoting community-level composting pits and biogas plants to manage organic waste.
- Plastic Waste Management (PWM): Establishing Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs) at the block or district level to facilitate the collection, segregation, and baling of plastic waste.
- Greywater Management: Constructing soak pits, leach pits, and kitchen gardens to treat and manage wastewater generated from kitchens and bathrooms.
- Fecal Sludge Management (FSM): Setting up infrastructure for the safe collection, transportation, and treatment of fecal sludge from septic tanks.
- GOBARdhan Initiative: Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) aims to convert cattle dung and agricultural waste into compressed biogas (CBG) and organic manure, providing a circular economy model for rural India.
Funding and Implementation Structure
SBM-G Phase II follows a collaborative financial model involving the Central and State Governments, with provisions for convergence with other schemes.
- Financial Norms: The funding is shared between the Centre and States. For North-Eastern states and Himalayan states (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh), the ratio is 90:10. For other States, it is 60:40, and for Union Territories, the Centre provides 100% funding.
- Convergence Strategy: Funds are leveraged through the 15th Finance Commission grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the construction of assets like community soak pits and drainage systems.
- Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC): These committees are responsible for the planning, implementation, and O&M (Operation and Maintenance) of the sanitation assets created under the mission.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The mission utilizes a digital-first approach to track progress and ensure accountability.
- IMIS Dashboard: The Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) tracks the construction of individual and community assets and the certification of villages as ODF Plus.
- Third-Party Verification: Periodic surveys are conducted to verify the sustainability of ODF status and the efficacy of waste management systems.
- Social Audits: Mandated for ensuring transparency in the utilization of funds and the quality of construction at the Gram Panchayat level.
Key Facts and Trivia
- SBM-G Phase II is scheduled for implementation from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- The ODF Plus status encompasses visual cleanliness, meaning the village should be free from plastic litter and stagnant wastewater.
- The mission emphasizes the “4R” principle: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, specifically targeting single-use plastics in rural landscapes.
- SBM-G is one of the largest behavior-change programs globally, moving from mere infrastructure creation to long-term sanitation service delivery.