Parliament Question: Impact assessment of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) - Phase II

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *175 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 Impact assessment of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) - Phase II 175 # Smt. Seema Dwivedi: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) the current status of implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) – Phase II; (b) whether Government has conducted any assessment of the impact of Phase-II on public health indicators; (c) if so, the key findings thereof; (d) the manner in which these results are being monitored and verified under Swachh Survekshan Grameen; and (e) the mechanisms implemented to ensure sustainable behavioural changes in sanitation, hygiene and waste segregation beyond construction of the infrastructure? ANSWER MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI C R PATIL) (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. Page 1 of 2Statement referred to in the reply to Rajya Sabha Starred Question No.175 answered on 09.03.2026 (a) Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)[SBM(G)] Phase II is being implemented during the period from 2020-21 to 2026-27, with the focus on Open Defecation Free (ODF) sustainability and to cover all the villages with solid and liquid waste management arrangements with visual cleanliness i.e. converting the villages from ODF to ODF Plus (Model) villages. As on 05.03.2026, under SBM(G) Phase II, 4,98,359 (84.9%) villages have been declared as ODF Plus (Model) as per the data reported by the States/UTs on the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of SBM(G) . (b) No assessment has been conducted on the impact of SBM(G) Phase II on public health indicators. (c) and (d) Does not arise, in view of (b) above. (e) SBM(G) Phase II is not just about constructing infrastructure for ODF Plus (Model) villages but aims at behavior change of the masses to adopt better sanitation and hygiene practices. Accordingly, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) is integral to the programme, which lays foundation for sustainable behavioral change and community partnership (Jan Bhagidari) in the programme. It also strengthens community ownership of assets created under the programme. Since sanitation is a State subject, States/UTs are to develop and implement IEC campaigns, focusing on various components of the programme including sanitation, hygiene and waste management. Under SBM(G) Phase II, for IEC and Capacity Building activities, expenditure up to 5% of the total project funds is permissible with up to 2% to be utilized at the Central level and up to 3% at the States/District level. ***** Page 2 of 2