How Narendra Modi's 'Swacch Bharat Mission' will boost the Indian economy: Explained

To tackle the sanitation and waste management issues in India and to ensure proper hygiene across the nation, the Narendra Modi Government will soon launch 'Swacch Bharat" movement to make India a spic and span country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently emphasised on 'Clean India' and said it should be linked with economic activity of the country.

When will the plan be launched?

A statement from the PMO said, "Mission Swacch Bharat' (clean India) will be launched on October 2, 2014 on 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to create a clean India of his dreams by 2019. It will mainly include elimination of the unhealthy practice of open defecation in the country by creating sanitation facilities for all.

What has Modi said?

Emphasising on the connection of Swacch Bharat with economic activity of the country Modi said, "The pursuit of cleanliness can be an economic activity, contributing to GDP growth, reduction in healthcare costs, and a source of employment."

Modi also asked everyone to be a part of the ‘Swacch Bharat' campaign and to make it a public movement rather than just a government mission.

Relating cleanliness to tourism and global interest of India, Modi said that world-class levels of hygiene and cleanliness are required in India's top 50 tourist destinations, to bring about a paradigm shift in the country's global perception.

Modi also stressed on his vision of solid waste management and waste water management through the PPP model in 500 towns and cities across India.

How is Swacch Bharat Mission and Indian economy connected?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with senior ministers briefing them on his dream mission of Clean India, 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan'.
He said if the tourist destinations in the country are clean, it will bring more people and will also bring a change in India's global perception.

Cleanliness of a country is directly linked to tourism and economy and thus Modi has asked everyone to make the 'Clean India Mission' a economic activity.

What is BJP saying?

Talking about the Swacch Bharat Mission, BJP leader Sambit Patra said, "It is a historic moment where PM himself is appealing to people to contribute 100 hrs in a year towards cleanliness."

The Union Minister of Rural Development, Drinking water & Sanitation Nitin Gadkari said that scientifically proven Solid and Liquid Waste Management activities be launched in each Gram Panchayat of the country.

Prime Minister has also directed that every school in the country has to be provided with toilets separately for boys and girls by the 15th of August 2015.

Clean India Mission - A public movement rather than a government mission

The Prime Minister had also urged everyone to be a part of the ‘Swacch Bharat' campaign and to make it a public movement rather than just a government mission.

In a meeting which was attended by Union ministers Arun Jaitley, M Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari, besides other senior officers Modi said, all government departments will actively participate in the programme. Government offices up to panchayat level will be involved in a cleanliness drive that shall be carried out from September 25 till Diwali which falls on October 23.