The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MOHUA) recently disclosed the results of the Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities for 2019-2020. Six cities achieved a 5-Star rating, 65 secured a 3-Star status and 70 were awarded with 1-Star. The prestigious 5-Star cities include Ambikapur in Chattisgarh, Surat and Rajkot in Gujarat, Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra. The announcement of these results underscores the government’s drive to ensure cleaner, healthier urban environments as part of the wider Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U).
Objective of the Star Rating Protocol
The MOHUA introduced the Star Rating Protocol in 2018 with the goal of motivating cities to attain and maintain a garbage-free status. The protocol not only supports the broader objectives of the SBM-U, but also encourages cities to strive for greater levels of sustainable cleanliness.
How the Rating System Works
At its core, the Star Rating is based on a SMART framework consisting of 12 parameters. These parameters are single metric, measurable, achievable, rigorously verified, and directly targeted towards outcomes. Of the 24 elements of Solid Waste Management that cities are assessed on, those scoring high overall marks receive a higher star rating.
Rating Process and Verification
A key feature of the Star Rating system is its reliance on self-assessment and self-verification. This approach aims to involve citizens in the process, fostering transparency and ownership. To ensure the accuracy of self-declarations, an independent third-party agency selected by the MOHUA carries out a separate verification.
Importance of the Star Rating
The performance of cities under the Star Rating Protocol plays a significant role in the Swachh Survekshan, an annual cleanliness survey undertaken by the government. Achieving a high star rating also means that a city has met certain minimum standards of sanitation as defined in the protocol. With the rating applied at the city level, it simplifies the implementation process and aids cities in gradually improving their overall cleanliness.
Impact of the Star Rating Protocol
The Star Rating Protocol functions as an outcome-oriented tool. It allows the MOHUA and other stakeholders to assess a city’s performance based on a single rating, providing a clear picture of a city’s cleanliness and hygiene levels. Through this mechanism, cities are incentivized to enhance their waste management and cleanliness practices, contributing to healthier and more sustainable urban environments.