HYDERABAD: In order to raise resources for the effective implementation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan across the country, the Centre may levy Swachh Bharat cess on petrol, diesel, telecom services and also on accumulated waste produced by plants, if the suggestions made by the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on the Clean India initiative in NITI Aayog, headed by AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, are taken into consideration.
Swachh Bharat bonds may be raised to procure financial resources for the programme, besides introducing subjects on sanitation and cleanliness in school curriculum and formation of a team of students to be called as ‘Swachha Senani’ in schools and colleges.
Swachh Bharat grading may be given for all Gram Panchayats, Municipalities, Blocks, Districts and States, each year to promote competition among them to effectively implement Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.
Naidu, who is heading the Sub-Group of CMs on Swachh Bharat, submitted his sub panel’s report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Wednesday.
The sub panel recommended setting up of a dedicated Mission to monitor the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan at national and state level.
A national technical board has been recommended to handhold the States and local bodies in identification, evaluation, selection and procurement of technologies. The report recommended certain measures to attract private sector participation and Public Private Partnership (PPP).
It recommended that waste-to-energy plants may be set up on PPP mode in bigger municipalities and cluster of municipalities, whereas, composting method may be adopted for smaller towns and villages.
The report recommended integration of rag pickers into the waste management system so that their livelihood is not adversely affected.