Swachh Bharat Kosh: Prime Minister to acknowledge individual contributions of ₹1 crore or more

Individuals contributing over ₹1 crore in the Swachh Bharat Kosh will get an acknowledgement from the Prime Minister (PM) himself. This is part of the guidelines issued by the Government for the new fund that aims to provide money for projects related to the cleanliness drive.

An individual contributing ₹50 lakh and up to ₹1 crore will be acknowledged by the Finance Minister (FM), while those contributing between ₹10-50 lakh will be honoured by the Expenditure Secretary.

A contribution of less than ₹10 lakh will be acknowledged by the Kosh administrator. In case of companies, ₹20 crore and above will get acknowledgement for the PM, while the FM will acknowledge those between ₹10 -20 crore and the Expenditure Secretary will honour those paying ₹1 to ₹10 crore.

Objectives In line with launch of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan on October 2, the Finance Ministry has invited contributions under the ‘Swachh Bharat Kosh’ to mobilise resources for improving sanitation facilities in rural and urban areas, particularly school premises. The aim is to get corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds and contributions from individuals and philanthropists. The Government also plans tax benefits on contributions, but the guidelines are silent on this.

There will be a Governing council for the fund headed by the Expenditure Secretary. Companies and philanthropists can deposit the money in an account with the State Bank of India through net banking, debit and credit cards or cheques and demand drafts. The donor would receive an automated, digitally signed receipt.

Listed activities Toilets for girls will be a priority. The guidelines have listed activities, such as construction of community/individual toilets in rural areas, urban areas, in elementary, secondary and senior secondary Government schools and anganwadis.