This 68th Independence day, honorable PM, Narendra Modi announced his new mission called “Swachh Bharat”. As the name suggests the motto is to clean India, provide clean drinking water and improve sanitation through the country by the year 2019 which coincides with Mahatma Gandhi’s 150 birth anniversary. To make this a reality, the government has invited private sector to participate in the “Clean India” initiative.
Confirming the news, Nitin Gadkari said, “To achieve this, we not only need the support of all state machineries but also the convergence between schemes of various ministries in the Government of India, state schemes and the cooperation of the corporates (for utilizing their Corporate Social Responsibility fund).”
This is not the first government and private sector merge since Modi’s government inception. The railway budget also pushed for such convergence. The station clean ups in major stations are now been given to private sectors. The food served on the trains have already roped in ITC, MTR, Haldirams etc to supply food for the passengers.
As far as the “Swachh Bharat” mission is concerned, the corporates have also expressed interest in working with the government. The Bharti Foundation has pledged a substantial amount in helping improve the drinking water facility. Tata Consultancy Services on the other hand has vowed to use Rs.100 crores from it’s CSR funds to construct toilets in many schools. The government is optimist about funding the whole mission with many private sector companies contributing anonymously.
As much as 60% of the population still use hide away behind bushes to attend nature call. The government has assured that they will allot Rs.15,000 for each household toilets and Rs.54,000 for school toilets. Gadkari also informed that there are many proposals supporting this mission from many international financial institutions.
Around 40% of the population still drinks brine for drinking water which has to be stopped Gadkari said in the meeting with states. So the focus will be on providing clean water to each village. Modi also emphasized on the greenery to be restored. But looks like sanitation and drinking water are issues the government are right in tackling first. This project seems to kick off in action early next month.
