Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen – Phase 2

About Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

• SBM (1st phase) was a nationwide campaign in India for the period 2014 to 2019 that aims to clean up the street, roads and infrastructure of cities towns, urban and rural cities and area in India.
• The objectives of Swachh Bharat include eliminating open defecation through the construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets and establishing an accountable mechanism for monitoring toilet use.
• Run by the Government of India, the mission aims to achieve an "open-defecation free" (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing 100 million toilets in rural India at a projected cost of Rs.1.96 lakh crore (US$28 billion).
• The mission will also contribute to India reaching Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), established by the UN in 2015.
• The campaign was officially launched on 2 October 2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi by PM Modi. It is India's largest cleanliness drive to date with three million government employees and students from all parts of India participating in 4,043 cities, towns, and rural communities. PM Modi has called the campaign Satyagrah se Swachhagrah in reference to Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha launched on 10 April 1916.
• The mission has two thrusts:
  1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ("Gramin" or "rural"), which operates under the Ministry of Jal Shakti; and
  2. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ("urban"), operates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Phase one

• The rural sanitation programme was started on October 2, 2014, when the sanitation coverage in the country was reported at 38.7 per cent. More than 10 crore individual toilets have been constructed since the launch of the mission and as a result, rural areas in all states have declared themselves open defecation-free (ODF) as of October 2, 2019.

Implementation of the second phase

• The second phase will be implemented on a mission mode between 2020-21 and 2024-25 with an estimated central and state budget of Rs 52,497 crore.
• The second phase will focus on Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus), which includes ODF sustainability and solid and liquid waste management (SLWM).
• The ODF Plus programme will converge with MGNREGA, especially for grey water management, and will complement the newly launched Jal Jeevan Mission.
• The programme will also work towards ensuring that no one is left behind and everyone uses a toilet.
• The 15th Finance Commission has proposed earmarking Rs 30,375 crores for rural water supply and sanitation to be implemented by rural local bodies for the upcoming financial year.
• The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has, however, advised all the states to reconfirm that there are no rural households that still don't have access to a toilet.
• The department has also said that to provide the necessary support to any such identified households to build individual household toilets in order to ensure that no one is left behind under the programme.
• The fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and States will be
  1. 90:10 for the North-Eastern States and the Himalayan States and UT of J&K
  2. 60:40 for other States; and
  3. 100:0 for other Union Territories, for all the components.
• The Jal Shakti ministry said the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen continue to generate employment and provide impetus to the rural economy through the construction of household toilets and community toilets, as well as infrastructure for waste management such as compost pits, soak pits, waste stabilisation ponds, material recovery facilities, etc.

As part of the campaign, volunteers, known as Swachhagrahis, or "Ambassadors of cleanliness", have promoted indoor plumbing and community approaches to sanitation (CAS) at the village level. Other non-governmental activities include national real-time monitoring and updates from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as The Ugly Indian, Waste Warriors, and SWaCH Pune (Solid Waste Collection and Handling) that are working towards its ideas of Swachh Bharat.

The government has constructed 11 million toilets since 2014. Many people continue to not use toilets despite having them. The campaign has been criticized for using coercive approaches to force people to use toilets. Many households have been threatened with a loss of benefits such as access to electricity or food entitlements through the public distribution system. However, a report by UNICEF shows promising improvements with sanitation coverage reaching 90 per cent.

Accurate estimation of Black Carbon over Himalaya

• Accurate estimation of black carbon (BC), the second most important global warming pollutant after CO­2, will now be possible using optical instruments in the Himalayan region.
• Thanks to a parameter called the mass absorption cross-section (MAC) specific to the Himalayan region that scientists have estimated. It will also improve the performance of numerical weather prediction and climate models.
• Scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Delhi, IIT Kanpur and Space Physics Laboratory, ISRO have made extensive observations of black carbon and elemental carbon and estimated monthly and wavelength-dependent values of MAC over the central Himalayan region for the first time.
• The researchers have derived the values of MAC – an essential parameter which is used for obtaining Black Carbon mass concentrations.

About Black Carbon

• Black Carbon (BC) =It is a Pollutant as well as a GHG. It is a solid particle or aerosol & a component of Particulate Matter.
• Black carbon consists of pure carbon in several  linked forms.
• It is formed through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass (like soot & dust), and is  emitted in both anthropogenic and naturally occurring  soot.

• It is short lived. It is the strongest absorber of sunlight and heats the atmosphere directly. It can upset the monsoon system and disrupt cloudiness.
• Black Carbon Study by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun: It is not the local sources that are the reason for pollution and receding snowline of the Himalayas but the reason is Black Carbon (Because of Western disturbances). If deposited on snow, it reduces the albedo and accelerates the heating of snow and quicken the melting of glaciers.

Health Impacts

• Black carbon (BC) is a pollutant known to aggravate breathing disorders. 
• According to a recent study published, BC particles emitted by the vehicular exhaust and coal-fired power plants, have been detected on the fetus-facing side of the placenta. This is expected to affect the overall development of the unborn baby.

What is the news?

• World Bank released a report on Black Carbon titled “Glaciers of the Himalayas, Climate Change, Black Carbon and Regional Resilience”.
• Black carbon (BC) deposits produced by human activity which accelerate the pace of glacier and snow melt in the Himalayan region can be sharply reduced through new, currently feasible policies by an additional 50% from current levels, a study by World Bank (WB) specialists has said.
• The research covers the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush (HKHK) mountain ranges, where, the report says, glaciers are melting faster than the global average ice mass.
• The rate of retreat of HKHK glaciers is estimated to be 0.3 metres per year in the west to 1.0 metre per year in the east. BC adds to the impact of climate change.
• Full implementation of current policies to mitigate BC can achieve a 23% reduction but enacting new policies and incorporating them through regional cooperation among countries can achieve enhanced benefits, the WB said in the report titled “Glaciers of the Himalayas, Climate Change, Black Carbon and Regional Resilience”.
• BC is a short-lived pollutant that is the second-largest contributor to warming the planet behind carbon dioxide (CO2). Unlike other greenhouse gas emissions, BC is quickly washed out and can be eliminated from the atmosphere if emissions stop.
• Unlike historical carbon emissions, it is also a localised source with greater local impact.
• Some of the ongoing policy measures to cut BC emissions are
  1. Enhancing fuel efficiency standards for vehicles,
  2. Phasing out diesel vehicles and promoting electric vehicles,
  3. Accelerating the use of liquefied petroleum gas for cooking and through clean cookstove programmes, as well as
  4. Upgrading brick kiln technologies.
• However, with all existing measures, water from glacier melt is still projected to increase in absolute volume by 2040, with impacts on downstream activities and communities.
• Glacier melt produces flash floods, landslips, soil erosion, and glacial lake outburst floods.
• Deposits of BC act in two ways hastening the pace of glacier melt:
  1. By decreasing surface reflectance of sunlight and
  2. By raising air temperature, the researchers point out.
• Specifically, in the Himalayas, reducing black carbon emissions from cookstoves, diesel engines, and open burning would have the greatest impact and could significantly reduce radiative forcing and help to maintain a greater portion of Himalayan glacier systems. More detailed modelling at a higher spatial resolution is needed to expand on the work already completed.
• Industry [primarily brick kilns] and residential burning of solid fuel together account for 45–66% of regional anthropogenic [man-made] BC deposition, followed by on-road diesel fuels (7–18%) and open burning (less than 3% in all seasons)” in the region.

20 Defense Reforms in 2020

What is the news?

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released an E-booklet titled ’20 Reforms in 2020’, highlighting the major reforms undertaken by Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020.
• The compilation provides a brief overview of defence reforms undertaken in the year 2020 by MoD to bring about greater cohesion and modernisation of the Armed Forces through policy changes, innovation and digital transformation.
• Reforms also focused on the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi;
  1. increased collaboration with the industry to boost defence exports;
  2. measures to accelerate defence acquisitions with greater transparency;
  3. digital transformation;
  4. strengthening of border infrastructure;
  5. increased participation of women in Armed Forces;
  6. transformation in R&D to boost innovation;
  7. expansion of NCC to remote locations and
  8. aid extended to the civil administration in fight against COVID-19.

Reforms in the Defense sector

1) Chief of Defence Staff & Department of Military Affairs

• The appointment of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of Department of Military Affairs (DMA) were among the major decisions taken by the Government.
• The post of CDS was created to increase efficiency & coordination among the Armed Forces and reduce duplication, while DMA was established to ensure improved civil-military integration.
• General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the first CDS who also fulfils the responsibilities of Secretary, DMA.

2) Aatma Nirbharta in Defence

• To promote ‘Make in India’ in defence sector, a list of 101 defence items was notified in August 2020, while Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020  was unveiled in September 2020.
• Rs 52,000 crore budget was earmarked for indigenously made defence equipment in 2020-21.
• Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was approved in May 2020 for greater efficiency and productivity. There was an unprecedented push toward new technology developments within India.
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) developed a ventilator in record time to meet Covid-19 requirements in May 2020.
• In November 2020, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile,  indigenously designed & developed DRDO, hit the bullseye at medium range and medium height, while indigenously built Pinaka rocket system cleared test of 45-60 km range.

3) Increased Defence Exports

• The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports.
• The value of total defence exports rose from Rs 1,941 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 9,116 crore in 2019-20.
• Also, for the first time, India figured in the list of defence equipment exporting nations, as the exports expanded to more than 84 countries.

4) Modernisation & increased transparency in Defence Acquisition

• In the highest-ever thrust towards modernisation in the last 10 years, there was a 10 per cent budget increase in 2020-21 over the previous year.
• Policy reforms for increased transparency included the launch of the new Defence Acquisition Procedure in September 2020 and the revision of the DRDO Procurement Manual in October 2020.
• To encourage start-ups, a provision was introduced for procurement as Buy Indian-IDDM, while leasing for non-mission critical requirements was introduced for the first time.

5) Defence Acquisitions

• First, five Rafale fighter aircraft arrived in India in July 2020 and several more since then, adding firepower to the arsenal of the Indian Air Force. Despite the COVID-19 challenge, the aircraft were delivered timely and inducted into IAF.

6) Reforming Defence R&D

• To promote innovation by young minds, five Young Scientists Laboratories of DRDO were launched in 2020 in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
• DRDO has joined hands with the private sector in design & development and identified 108 Systems & Subsystems for the industry to design, develop and manufacture.

7) Digital Transformation

• For the first time, several organisations of the Ministry of Defence went digital. Directorate General Quality Assurance (DGQA) started online Pre-Delivery inspection in May 2020 to address security threats, while Armed Forces Tribunal began digital hearings for the first time in August 2020.
• Defence Estates, Canteen Stores Department, services in Cantonment, MoD Pension and National Cadet Corps (NCC) also went online providing faster and transparent services.

8) Strengthening border infrastructure

• Reforms of processes and workflows within Border Roads Organisation (BRO) enabled it to achieve targets ahead of schedule, in some instances. 
• The world’s longest Atal tunnel above 10,000 feet, at Rohtang on the Leh-Manali Highway, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in October 2020.
• It provides all-weather connectivity to the northern borders.
• Zojila pass, situated on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway, was opened almost a month ahead of schedule in April 2020.

9) Stree Shakti in Armed Forces

• In 2020, the Ministry of Defence took some historic decisions to increase the participation of women in the Armed Forces.
• Ten streams of the Indian Army were opened for giving Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission (SSC) Women officers, while women pilots of the Indian Navy were operationalised for the first time.
• All Sainik Schools were thrown open for girl students from the academic session 2020-21.

10) Reforms in NCC

• Expanding the reach of NCC to remote locations was a major announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day on August 15, 2020.
• More than 1,075 schools/colleges in border and coastal areas were identified and the enrolment began in November 2020.
• In another decision, it was decided to give preference to NCC cadets in employment in the Central Armed Police Forces from May 2020.
• Youth Exchange Programme Allowance for NCC cadets was increased from Rs 100 per day to Rs 750 and the number of countries was increased from 10 to 15.

11) Aid to civil administration during COVID-19

• Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces have mobilised resources to aid the civil administration in the fight against COVID-19.
• Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) provided all emergency support to tide over the situation.
• They have mobilised doctors, and health professionals and set up Quarantine facilities at several locations across the country.
• DRDO has set up several hospitals to treat COVID patients across the states, passed on technology expertise to manufacture ventilators, oxygen plants, medicines, test kits and PPE kits to the private sector for mass production.

12) Help beyond boundaries

• The Armed Forces extended a helping hand to the countries in distress. Indian Navy mounted eight relief missions during 2020-21. Besides evacuating stranded Indians from Iran, Sri Lanka and Maldives under Vande Bharat Mission, Indian Naval ships provided avid-19 medical relief, including medicines and doctors, to five countries.
• INS Airavat provided 270 MT of food aid to Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea struck by natural calamities.
• The Indian Coast Guard led the rescue operation to save Sri Lanka's coast from its biggest oil spill.
• Indian Air Force carried out over 800 relief missions during 2020-21.