Re-Energizing Swachh Bharat - Addl Inputs

600 days have past since Swachh Bharat Mission was launched. With the target date of Oct 2, 2019, we are past one third of the time. Below is a summary of your key inputs on what should be done to re-energize Swachh Bharat and make it more effective. Kindly review and share any additional specific inputs you may have. We will then compile them and share with all the stakeholders so further actions can be taken to improve delivery of Swachh Bharat

Collective Citizen inputs to make Swachh Bharat more effective:

1. City level events following a common structure and led by the local mayor and municipal commissioner should be organized engaging citizens, NGOs, local celebrities, corporates, community organizations in every city of urban India
2. The objective of these sessions should be to take up key city challenges (not individual grievances) in the area of waste management, public toilets, open defecation
3. All municipalities should outline their annual plan, money available for Swachh Bharat, challenges and seek citizen inputs on how to overcome them
4. All municipal commissioners should join their city’s respective Swachh Bharat circle to remain connected with citizens and should have a social media focal.
5. A monthly review meeting should be held on the first Sunday of every month between municipal commissioner and citizen community committed to Swachh Bharat
6. A Swachh Bharat ambassador (an appointed one or a local celebrity) should be part of the monthly review
7. As appropriate, a local advisory board may be formed for Swachh Bharat in every city which may meet more often
8. Any garbage pickers, municipal workers with exceptional delivery in the last year must be nominated and felicitated in quarterly meetings by the municipal leadership
9. Any RWAs that have done good cleanliness work must also be recognized quarterly with some civic incentives like trees planted, park renovation etc
10. Civic Sense awareness drives must be planned for the year and scheduled for every month
11. A discussion may be carried out on activities that citizens can do (not cleanliness drives) but supervisory, enforcement and organizing activities.
12. A national citizen rating system can also be rolled out where citizens rate their municipality and the municipality, state and central Swachh Bharat Directorate has access to all ratings at all times
13. A system could also be announced where a municipality that has received Swachh Bharat funds and continues to have a low rating on delivery metrics in 6 month is liable for action
14. Year wise targets could be fixed by the Mission Directorate, for Municipalities and monetary awards should be given as incentive to those who fulfil the targets. more