To raise resources for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, NITI Aayog’s Chief Ministers’ sub-group has suggested Swachh Bharat bonds and Swachh Bharat cess by the Centre on petrol, diesel, telecom services, as well as on accumulated waste produced by plants generating mineral waste like coal, aluminium, and iron ore.
The sub group, chaired by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, submitted its report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
It has proposed that given the scale and importance of the programme the sharing pattern of funds between Centre and States may be in the ratio of 75:25, while 90:10 for hilly States. It has also suggested reducing subsidy on chemical fertilisers and raising it on compost.
In order to improve the viability of waste management activities, the report proposes provision of tax exemptions to the private sector.
According to an official statement, a dedicated Mission for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, called the National Technical Board, has been also proposed. The report has also recommended measures to attract private sector participation and Public Private Partnership (PPP).
To resolve inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues, a common platform may be provided by NITI Aayog, it has suggested. NITI Aayog may develop an objective assessment framework for assessing Open Defecation Free (ODF) and ODF plus.
Incentive measures such as Swachh Bharat Grading have also been proposed. Assistance for construction of one unit of individual household toilet in both urban and rural areas to be enhanced to ₹15,000 has also been suggested.