Parliament Question: Model Contracting Framework under SBM-U

Executive Summary: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) issued Model Empanelment and Contract documents in June 2025 under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBMU) to guide Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in engaging Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs). The framework aims to improve sanitation service delivery by establishing legal and operational guidelines for safe, mechanized services, ensuring the safety and dignity of sanitation workers, and encouraging participation from private and community-based entities. Financial assistance is available to support the effective implementation of this framework. Key Points / Main Content: Framework Purpose and Scope: * Provides model documents for ULBs to engage PSSOs. * Aims to establish clear guidelines for safe, mechanized sanitation services. * Complies with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (PEMSR) Act, 2013. Contractual Terms and Responsibilities: * Defines terms of service for sewer and septic tank cleaning. * Outlines roles and responsibilities for cities and private operators. * Sets service level benchmarks and costs for citizens. * Establishes penalties for safety protocol violations, including termination and blacklisting. Worker Safety and Dignity: * Ensures safe, mechanized sewer and septic tank cleaning for sanitation workers. * Encourages private entities (cooperative societies, SHGs, etc.) to register with cities. Septic Tank Management: * Addresses the need for regular desludging of septic tanks due to a large number of households using them (4.5 crore). * Highlights the importance of safe removal and disposal of fecal sludge at designated treatment locations. * Notes that 35% of the population is connected to sewer networks requiring regular maintenance. Financial Support: * Provides financial assistance for SHGs and Sani-entrepreneurs to procure mechanical equipment via the National Safai Karamcharis Development Corporation (NSKFDC). * Supports cities in procuring septic tank desludging equipment under the Used Water Management (UWM) component of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. Impact Analysis: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): * Impact: ULBs are guided by the Model Empanelment and Contract documents to improve sanitation service delivery. They also get financial support to procure septic tank desludging equipment. * Action Required: ULBs should use the model documents to engage PSSOs, ensuring compliance with safety and operational guidelines. Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs): * Impact: PSSOs are given opportunities to participate in sanitation service delivery, with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and performance benchmarks. * Action Required: PSSOs, including cooperative societies and SHGs, should register with cities and adhere to the contractual terms, including safety protocols. Sanitation Workers: * Impact: Sanitation workers are ensured safety, dignity, and welfare through mechanized cleaning services, reducing reliance on manual scavenging. * Action Required: Sanitation workers should utilize mechanical equipment provided through financial assistance and adhere to safety protocols. Citizens: * Impact: Citizens benefit from improved sanitation services, including regular desludging of septic tanks and maintenance of sewer networks. * Action Required: Citizens may need to pay for the services provided, as per the cost structure outlined in the contract documents.

Key Entities Referenced