EFFECTIVENESS OF SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAN IN THE RURAL AREAS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) was started by the Government of India under the honorable Prime Minister of India, Sh. Narinder Modi on 2nd October, 2014 from Raj Ghat, New Delhi on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to bring an improvement in the general quality of life in rural areas, by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation, economic benefits, environmental conservation and enhancement, disposal of solid & liquid waste, safe drinking water, and safety & dignity for women by keeping in the mind the Sustainable Development Goals. The present study is descriptive in nature by focusing on the effectiveness of SBA, and initiatives undertaken by the government and local bodies (Panchyats & Muncipilities). The data was collected from four rural districts of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory with the help of a self- developed questionnaire from 20 villages. From each village five persons were selected purposively. A significant difference was found in the perceptions, availability of resources, usage of resources constructed under SBA, and contribution of people for its successful implementation whereas an insignificant difference was found in awareness and participation of people in SBA in the rural and urban areas of the rural districts of J & K UT. The major initiatives were undertaken by the government and local bodies (Panchayats & Muncipilities) for the successful implementation of SBA were construction of toilets for poor families, funds were given for the construction of individual toilets, and provision for clean drinking water but were not focused on the inclusion of technology in sustainable sanitataion, health education, liquid & solid waste menegement system.