Success of the Swachh Bharat Mission

Source: The post success of the Swachh Bharat Mission has been created, based on the article “Learning from the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission” published in “Indian Express” on 9th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Governance-Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes

Context: The article highlights the success of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in reducing infant deaths by improving sanitation. It notes that SBM and the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing safe drinking water, contribute to better health outcomes. Some government schemes have been successful, while others are still developing.

For detailed information on Swachh Bharat Mission read Article 1, Article 2

What Has the Swachh Bharat Mission Achieved?

1. The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), initiated by the Narendra Modi government in October 2014, has led to the construction of approximately 11 crore individual household latrines.
2. This significant effort has reduced infant deaths by 60,000-70,000 annually, as open defecation—a source of disease through water and food contamination—has been curtailed.
3. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data indicates a drop in households without toilets from 55% in 2005-06 to 19% in 2019-21.
4. Improved sanitation under SBM has not only decreased infant mortality rates but also holds the potential to reduce stunting (low height-for-age) and wasting (low weight-for-height) in children. These conditions are often caused by diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, which are linked to contaminated food and water.

What Role Does the Jal Jeevan Mission Play?

1. Alongside SBM, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide safe drinking water to all rural households by 2024 through tap connections.
2. The Nature study found that in districts where toilet access is over 30%, there is a significant reduction in infant and child mortality.
3. The integration of these programs is crucial as improved sanitation and access to clean water together significantly lower the rates of infant and under-five mortality.

What Are the Broader Impacts of Government Schemes?

1. The government’s approach to implementing large-scale programs like SBM and Jan Dhan (universal bank accounts) has seen mixed success.
2. While SBM has been effective in improving sanitation and reducing disease transmission, other initiatives like the Soil Health Card have not met expectations.
3. The effectiveness of these schemes largely depends on sustained efforts and the ability to meet and exceed initial targets.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the effectiveness of the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission in improving sanitation, providing safe drinking water, and reducing disease-related mortality in India.