Source: LM
Context: India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced that over half of the nation’s villages have achieved ODF Plus status under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) Phase II.
Meaning of ODF+ status:
It means that these villages not only maintain their Open Defecation Free (ODF) status but also implement solid or liquid waste management systems.
Leading states: Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are among the top-performing states, while Goa and Sikkim lead among smaller states. Over 1 lakh gram panchayats have also passed resolutions banning Single Use Plastic.
About SBM-Gramin:
The Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) Phase I was launched in 2014 to eliminate open defecation in rural areas by 2019. Phase II, implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25, focuses on sustainability of ODF status. It also includes:
- Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM)
- Plastic Waste Management (PWM)
- Faecal Sludge Management (FSM)
- GOBARdhan
- Information Education and Communication
- Behaviour Change Communication
- Capacity Building
