Implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas totally decentralized Urban Local Bodies to approve toilet projects; States to clear Solid Waste Management proposals Total cost -Rs.62,009 cr; Private investment targeted -Rs.42,512 cr Central support-Rs.4,000 per individual toilets; 20% Grant/VGF for community toilets; 40% for solid waste management projects Best performers to be encouraged Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines issued

In a far reaching initiative, the Ministry of Urban Development has withdrawn itself from appraisal and approval of various project proposals under the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' to be implemented in all the 4,041 statutory towns and cities across the country. As per the implementation guidelines approved by the Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, urban local bodies (ULBs) and state/UT governments have been fully empowered to propose and approve the projects. ULBs have been authorized to prepare, sanction and implement projects in respect of constructing individual household toilets besides community and public toilets, under the broad directions of state/UT governments. Solid Waste Management project proposals of ULBs will be approved by state/UT governments. Shri Venkaiah Naidu has preferred this decentralization to augment capacities of ULBs besides enabling quicker implementation of the Mission, under which cleanliness is to be ensured by the year 2019.