State-Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee Approves Annual Action Plan of SBM-G Phase II of 2023-24

Ladakh Aims for 100% Saturation of Waste Management Units in All Blocks and Implementation of Grey Water Management in all Villages by 2023.

Leh, March 30: Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula who also is the Chairperson of the State-Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee held a meeting to discuss the Approval of the Annual Implementation Plan under Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) Phase II for the financial year 2023-2024, at the Civil Secretariat Leh. 

The SBM-G Phase II is a flagship programme launched by the Government of India in 2014 with the aim of achieving a clean and open-defecation-free India. The scheme is being implemented across Ladakh with a focus on rural areas.

The State-Level Committee approved the Annual Action Plan of SBM-G phase II, aiming to achieve full saturation of plastic waste management units across all the blocks by 2023. The Action Plan also by 2023 aims for complete implementation of grey water management in all the villages of the Union Territory. The plan includes a range of activities such as the setting up of a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant at Pangong, and behavioral change communication, among others.

During the meeting, Advisor Narula reviewed the progress made in the previous financial year and discussed the strategies and activities proposed for the upcoming year. He said the Ladakh administration is dedicated to creating a better and healthier environment by ensuring cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation across the UT. Expressing concern, the Advisor called for penalties to be imposed on individuals who litter on roadside instead of using the designated collection van for proper disposal of their garbage. In addition, Advisor Narula proposed that individuals who construct the most effective soak pits in rural areas to be recognised and awarded for their efforts.

As the improper disposal of plastic and solid waste leads to environmental pollution, including soil and water contamination, Secretary, RDD Saugat Biswas informed the meeting that the Gram Panchayats in the UT have been provided with plastic and solid segregation cum storage sheds which play an important role in environmental sustainability, protecting public health and creating economic opportunities in rural areas as the waste is recycled and repurposed.

The Director, Rural Development Department, Tahir Hussain gave a comprehensive presentation to the participants on the progress made under solid waste management plan, plastic waste management plan, grey water management plan, and faecal sludge management plan among others. He informed that Gram Panchayats have been provided with compost pits to manage organic waste, four-wheeler trucks, garbage bins, cleaning implements, and bailing and shredder machines by the Ladakh Rural Development Department. 

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Planning and Revenue Department, Dr. Pawan Kotwal; Secretary, Rural Development Department, Saugat Biswas; Administrative Secretary, PDD, Ravinder Kumar; District Magistrate, Leh; Shrikant Suse; District Magistrate, Kargil; Santosh Sukhadeve; CE, PHE and other concerned officials.

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