On the occasion of International Zero Waste Day 2023, MoHUA has set a target to make 1000 cities, 3-Star Garbage Free by October 2024. Moreover, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U) 2.0 has been launched on October 1, 2021 for a period of five years with a vision of achieving 100% Garbage Free Status for all cities through 100% source segregation, door to door collection and scientific management of all fractions of waste including safe disposal in scientific landfills. To encourage a competitive, mission-mode spirit among ULBs,this Ministry launched “Garbage Free Cities” (GFC) – Starratingprotocolto assess the City’s Municipal Solid Waste Management by 3rd party verification.

Sanitation is a State subject under 7^thschedule of the constitution. It is the responsibility of State/ULBs to plan, design, execute, operate and maintain sanitation projects including Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in urban areas of the country. However, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has been facilitating by providing additional financial and technical support.

For technical assistance to States/ULBs, MoHUA has brought out advisories covering all aspects of Solid Waste Management (SWM)and Used Water Management (UWM) including planning, designing and operation and maintenancealong with regular capacity building interactions.

The progress made in management of garbage and sanitation by the States/ UTs under SBM-U is regularly assessed for which Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) have been developed for certification of ULBs as Open Defecation Free (ODF), ODF+, ODF++ and Star ratings of Garbage Free Cities (GFC) and also through ‘SwachhSurvekshan’. Monitoring of the progress of SBM-U in States/ UTs is done by periodical review and assessment by meetings, webinars, workshops etc and also through the dedicated SBM-U portal.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing And Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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RKJ

(Release ID: 1945491)