Centre hikes funds for community toilets, waste management

NEW DELHI: The government has approved 75 per cent increase in central assistance for municipal solid waste management and 45 per cent for construction of community toilets.

The central funding for municipal solid waste management projects -- procurement of dustbins, tippers, solid waste collection and transportation equipment, setting up waste processing plants -- now stands increased to 35 per cent of the project cost from the earlier 20 per cent, an official release said.

Similarly, support for construction of community toilets has been increased to Rs 39,200 per seat from the earlier Rs 27,000 per seat, an increase of about 45 per cent, it said.

Construction of urinals, not envisaged under the original guidelines, is now made eligible for central support at the rate of Rs 12,800 per seat, the release said.

Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also directed a review of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) guidelines based on inputs from the state governments and Urban Local Bodies seeking more central assistance.

Construction of 1.04 crore individual household toilets and 5.08 community and public toilet seats and 100 per cent scientific management of municipal solid waste in 4,041 statutory towns in the country is targeted under SBM in urban areas, it said.

A total of 115 towns and 8,103 municipal wards have been so far declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat besides the Union Territory of Chandigarh have resolved to become ODF by March next year, the release added.