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  • What is Ninth Schedule of the Constitution?

    Central idea: Chhattisgarh CM has written to the Prime Minister seeking the inclusion of two amendment Bills allowing for higher quotas in jobs and educational institutions in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

    What is Ninth Schedule?

    • The Ninth Schedule is a legal provision in the Constitution of India that provides immunity to certain laws from judicial review.
    • It is a list of Central and State laws that are immune from judicial review.
    • These laws are not subject to judicial scrutiny or challenge in any court of law, including the Supreme Court of India.
    Details
    Definition A list of Central and State laws that are immune from judicial review.
    History Added to the Constitution by the First Amendment in 1951.
    Purpose back then To protect land reforms and other progressive laws from being challenged in courts.
    Significance Used to protect laws related to land reforms, reservation in education and employment, anti-defection laws, and other progressive measures aimed at social justice and equality.
    Criticisms Criticised for shielding unconstitutional laws and violating fundamental rights.

    Supreme Court of India has struck down several laws in the Ninth Schedule on the grounds that they violate the basic structure of the Constitution.
    Amendment Constitution (Ninety-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2001 added a provision stating that any law added to the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973, can be challenged in courts on the ground that it violates the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

     

    What is the request made by CG CM?

    • In Chhattisgarh’s case, the two amendment Bills were passed unanimously by the State Assembly paving the way for 76% quota for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
    • However, the Bills are yet to receive the Governor’s nod.
    • The Chhattisgarh High Court had struck down a 2013 State government order to allow 58% quota, holding that reservation above the 50% ceiling was “unconstitutional.”

    Request for Inclusion in Ninth Schedule

    • The CM presented the demographics of the State and wrote that the socio-economic and educational condition of the OBC people of the State is as weak as that of the SC/ST people.
    • He argued that the inclusion of the amended provision in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution is necessary for the people of the deprived and backward classes to get justice.

     

     

  • WTO panel rules against India in IT tariffs dispute

     

    A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that India has violated global trading rules in a dispute with the European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan over import duties on IT products.

    About World Trade Organization (WTO)

    Details
    Purpose Regulate and facilitate international trade between nations
    Establishment 1995
    Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland
    Membership 164 member countries as of 2023, representing over 98% of global trade
    Goal Promote free and fair trade by negotiating and enforcing rules and agreements governing international trade
    Agreements Administers a number of agreements, including GATT, SPS Agreement, and TRIPS Agreement
    Dispute Resolution Operates a dispute settlement system to resolve conflicts between member countries
    Technical Assistance Provides technical assistance and training to help developing countries participate more effectively in international trade
    Decision-Making Body Ministerial Conference, which meets every two years
    Director-General Chief executive responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations and activities
    Criticisms Some criticize the WTO for being undemocratic, favoring developed countries, and not doing enough to promote labor and environmental standards in international trade

     

    What was the case?

    • The case involved a dispute over India’s introduction of import duties ranging from 7.5% to 20% on a wide range of IT products, including mobile phones, components, and integrated circuits.
    • The EU, Japan, and Taiwan challenged these import duties in 2019, arguing that they exceeded the maximum rate allowed under global trading rules.
    • The recent ruling by the WTO panel found that India had violated these rules and recommended that India bring its measures into conformity with its obligations.

    WTO Panel’s Ruling

    • The WTO panel has ruled that India violated global trading rules by imposing these import duties.
    • The panel recommended that India bring these measures into conformity with its obligations.
    • While the panel broadly backed the complaints against India, it rejected one of Japan’s claims that India’s customs notification lacked “predictability”.

    Implications of the ruling

    • The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner, accounting for 10.8% of total Indian trade in 2021, according to the European Commission.
    • The ruling could have implications for trade relations between India and the EU, as well as Japan and Taiwan.
    • India may be required to lower or eliminate the challenged import duties.
    • It remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
    • If it does, the case will sit in legal purgatory since the WTO’s top appeals bench is no longer functioning due to US opposition to judge appointments.

    Conclusion

    • The panel recommended that India bring such measures into conformity with its obligations, and it remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
    • The case highlights the importance of complying with global trading rules and the role of the WTO in resolving trade disputes between countries.

     

  • What is Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

    pacific

    Central idea: The article reports on a recent study which found evidence that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast area in the North Pacific Ocean where plastic waste has accumulated due to ocean currents.

    What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)?

    Features
    Location North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), north of the equator in the Pacific Ocean
    Currents Kuroshio, North Pacific, California, and North Equatorial currents, moving in a clockwise direction
    Sources Any trash that enters one of these currents from any of the 51 Pacific Rim countries
    Size Estimated to be 1.6 million sq. km
    Age More than 50 years old
    Plastic Content Estimated to contain 45,000-129,000 metric tonnes of plastic, predominantly in the form of microplastics
    Visible Objects Heavier, more visible objects that haven’t yet broken down into smaller particles accounted for 92% in 2018

     

    Findings of the new study

    • Researchers from Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S. have reported that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
    • From November 2018 to January 2019, they collected 105 pieces of plastic debris, the most heavily plastic-polluted ocean gyre on the globe.
    • Based on studying them, they reported that 98% of the debris items had invertebrate organisms.

    Plastic inflicting into a coastal organism

    • Organisms found on coasts were getting by on small floating islands of garbage out in the Pacific Ocean, which the researchers named the neopelagic community.
    • They found organisms belonging to 46 taxa, and 37 of them were coastal; the rest were pelagic. Among both coastal and pelagic organisms, crustaceans were the most common.
    • Nearly all taxa were of Northwest Pacific origin, including Japan.
    • Eight of the remainder were from East Asia and five specifically from Japan. Four items were from North America.
    • They found that 68% of the coastal taxa and 33% of the pelagic taxa reproduced asexually and that there was evidence of sexual reproduction among the hydroids and the crustaceans, among others.

    Implications of the findings

    • Marine plastic pollution has given rise to a new kind of standing coastal community in the open ocean.
    • The neopelagic community is not misplaced but lives on plastic items in the garbage patch, including reproducing there.
    • The finding recalls other studies that show the chemical bonding of plastic with rocks, sedimentary rocks embedded with plastic earrings in Brazil, and the formation of plastiglomerates in Hawaii.

     

    What is neopelagic community?

    • The neopelagic community refers to the group of organisms that inhabit the open ocean or the pelagic zone beyond the continental shelf.
    • It is characterized by deep waters with very few physical structures or substrate for organisms to attach to.
    • This community includes a wide variety of organisms, including zooplankton, fish, squid, and marine mammals, among others.
    • These organisms have adapted to survive in the open ocean environment, which can be quite challenging due to factors such as temperature fluctuations, limited food availability, and the absence of physical structures for shelter.
    • The neopelagic community is an important part of the global marine ecosystem, playing a key role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer between different levels of the food chain.

     

    GPGP and its impact on marine life

    • The GPGP has significant impacts on marine life due to the ingestion of plastic by marine animals, which can cause harm and even death.
    • Plastic can also entangle and suffocate marine animals, leading to the disruption of ecosystems.
    • The new study sheds light on the neopelagic community, which has adapted to living on plastic in the garbage patch.

    Plastic pollution and its environmental impact

    • Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that affects land and water ecosystems worldwide.
    • Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, and even then, it breaks down into microplastics that can persist in the environment indefinitely.
    • The presence of plastic in the environment has negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health.

    Conclusion

    • There are various solutions to plastic pollution, including reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling, and promoting alternative materials.
    • Governments and industries can also take steps to reduce plastic waste, such as implementing policies and regulations that reduce plastic use and increase recycling.
    • Individual actions, such as reducing personal plastic consumption and properly disposing of plastic waste, can also make a difference.

     

  • What is Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)?

    crown

    Central idea: The article talks about an astrophotographer named Andrew McCarthy capturing an image of a plasma waterfall on the sun. The phenomenon is called Polar Crown Prominence (PCP).

    Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)

    • PCP is a solar phenomenon that occurs on the sun’s Polar Regions.
    • It is a type of solar prominence, which is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
    • A solar prominence is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
    • It is made up of ionized gas (plasma) that is held in place by magnetic fields.
    • Prominences are visible during total solar eclipses and can also be observed using specialized telescopes.
    • PCPs are often associated with sunspots, which are dark regions on the sun’s surface that are caused by magnetic activity.

    How are PCPs Formed?

    • PCPs are formed by the interaction of magnetic fields on the sun’s surface.
    • Magnetic fields are created by the movement of charged particles (plasma) in the sun’s interior.
    • When these magnetic fields interact, they can create regions of intense magnetic activity, such as sunspots.
    • PCPs are often associated with these regions of magnetic activity.

    Why are PCPs Important?

    • PCPs are important because they provide clues about the sun’s magnetic activity and how it affects the Earth’s environment.
    • Solar activity, including PCPs, can cause disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, which can lead to auroras and disruptions in communication systems.

     

     

  • India’s first Mangrove Pitta Birds Census conducted in Odisha

    pitta

    Central idea: The article talks about the first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India.

    About Mangrove Pitta

    • The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) belongs to the family of pittas, the Pittidae.
    • The mangrove pitta species is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
    • These pitta species have fragmented distribution and considered ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN. These pittas are monotypic species.

    Focus of the Census

    • In this census, a total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted.
    • The census mainly focused on the mangrove patches along the coasts of Kendrapara and Jagatsingpur districts.
    • Information was collected on the distribution, habitat, and breeding of mangrove pittas along the coastal mangroves.
    • The census was carried out by point count method, either by walking in the forest or using country boats in the creeks.

     

  • Election Commission Revised It’s List of National and State Parties

    Central Idea

    • The Election Commission of India (EC) recently revised its list of recognised national and state parties.

    The EC’s decision

    • The EC recognised AAP as a national party and revoked the national party status of TMC, NCP and CPI.
    • It also revoked the state party status granted to Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh, Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Andhra Pradesh, People’s Democratic Alliance (Manipur), Pattali Makkal Katchi (Puducherry), Revolutionary Socialist Party (West Bengal) and Mizoram People’s Conference (Mizoram).
    • The EC laid down strict technical criteria for a party to be recognised as a national party, based entirely on its electoral performance. A party may gain or lose national/state party status from time to time, depending on the fulfilment of these conditions.

    Process of recognition and derecognition

    • Election Symbols Order, 1968: The process of recognition and derecognition is stipulated under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which lays down the criteria for recognition as a national or state party.
    • Specific stipulations: The order has specific stipulations which also find concurrence in the EC’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 Handbook.
    • Based on poll performance: The EC’s decision was based on a review of the parties’ poll performances since 2014.

    What is a National Party?

    • The name suggests that a national party would be one that has a presence ‘nationally’, as opposed to a regional party whose presence is restricted to only a particular state or region.
    • National parties are usually India’s bigger parties.
    • However, some smaller parties, like the communist parties, are also recognised as national parties.
    • A certain stature is sometimes associated with being a national party, but this does not necessarily translate into having a lot of national political clout.

    Criteria for recognition of political parties

    Criteria National Party State Party
    At least 6% of valid votes in 4+ states OR 4 Lok Sabha seats from at least 3 states OR recognition as a state party in at least 4 states ✓
    2% of all Lok Sabha seats in the last such election, with MPs elected from at least three states. ✓
    Two seats plus a 6% vote share in the last Assembly election in that state ✓
    One seat plus a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha election from that state ✓
    3% of the total Assembly seats or 3 seats, whichever is more. ✓
    One of every 25 Lok Sabha seats (or an equivalent fraction) from a state. ✓
    An 8% state-wide vote share in either the last Lok Sabha or the last Assembly polls. ✓

    Benefits of recognition as a national party

    Benefit Description
    Election symbol The election symbol of the party will remain unchanged across India, making it easier for voters to identify and vote for the party.
    Free broadcast/telecast time National parties get free broadcast/telecast time on Akashvani and Doordarshan during the general election, giving them greater visibility and reach.
    Star campaigners National parties can have a maximum of 40 star campaigners whose travel expenses will not be counted in the accounts of the candidates.
    Consultation with the Election Commission National parties will have the privilege of consultation with the EC in the setting of election dates, and giving inputs in setting electoral rules and regulations.
    Top slots on the EVM/ballot paper Top slots on the EVM/ballot paper are reserved for national parties, giving them greater visibility and prominence on the ballot.

     Perception and legal challenges

    • The greater impact, however, will be concerning the public perception of the party, which is why many who have lost national party status are planning to go to courts.
    • Some parties are questioning the power of the EC though it stands legitimised by the Supreme Court.
    • The EC has no discretion in the matter as the rules are very specific and repeatedly emphasise that a party is eligible if, and only if it fulfils all criteria.

    Conclusion

    • The EC’s decision to revise the list of recognized national and state parties has faced legal challenges from some parties questioning the power of the EC. However, the EC’s decision is based on strict technical criteria laid down by the EC and the process of recognition and derecognition is stipulated under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

    Mains Question

    Q. The Election Commission of India (EC) recently revised its list of recognised national and state parties. In this light highlight the criteria for recognition of political parties and discuss the benefits of recognition as a national party

  • Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Contribution Towards Women’s Rights

    Ambedkar

    Central Idea

    • Babasaheb Ambedkar’s contribution towards women’s rights is often overlooked, and he needs to be recognized as a champion of social justice, a visionary, and a philosopher. He advocated for women’s equal participation in both personal and professional spheres, was instrumental in drafting legislation to protect women’s rights, and played a key role in reducing working hours and improving working conditions.

    Ambedkar’s Advocacy for Women’s Rights

    • Equal participation of women: Ambedkar advocated for equal participation of women in both personal and professional spheres. He was the first man to raise his voice against the unequal treatment of women in factories and other workplaces.
    • No of legislations: Ambedkar drafted legislation such as the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, which demanded equal pay and equal rights for coal mine workers, ensuring that the question of maternity leave for women was brought up and they were protected under labor laws.
    • Improving working conditions: He was instrumental in reducing working hours and improving working conditions.
    • Reproductive rights of women: Ambedkar was a strong believer in the reproductive rights of women and urged them to make their own choices about conception.

    Ambedkar’s Contribution to Women’s Rights

    • Hindu Code Bill: Ambedkar’s most important contribution to the cause of women’s rights was the Hindu Code Bill, which revolutionized property and marriage practices and established laws of maintenance for women.
    • Four acts, resulting from the Bill, were passed:
    1. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which gave women the right to divorce and maintenance;
    2. The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which gave them the legal right to inherit property;
    3. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, which allowed women to legally adopt a child; and
    4. The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, which allowed women to be the natural guardian of their children.
    • Pro-women Acts: The influence of these reforms led to other pro-women Acts such as the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 and the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, which brightened the dark roads of women’s struggles.

    Ambedkar’s Vision for Women’s Rights

    • Women’s right to education: Ambedkar believed that education was crucial for the country’s progress and regularly spoke up for women’s right to education, defying the Manusmriti and the Dharmashastra.
    • Targeted hierarchical social order: He targeted the hierarchical social order and condemned it for degrading women, and believed that endogamy was the root cause of caste consolidation.
    • Caste system and atrocities on women: His 1917 paper, titled ‘Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development’ outlines how atrocities on women are rooted in the caste system.
    • For instance: He denounced sati, child marriage, and the condemnation of widow remarriage, which were all meant to control women.
    • Vision of equality: Ambedkar’s vision of equality despite caste, gender, race, and ethnicity differences is a pioneering thought of social justice.

    Conclusion

    • Ambedkar’s contribution towards women’s rights is often overlooked, and he needs to be recognized as a champion of social justice, a visionary, and a philosopher. His work to empower all sections of marginalized communities needs to be acknowledged, and his vision of equality despite caste, gender, race, and ethnicity differences is a pioneering thought of social justice. Women’s rights and their liberation are crucial for building a progressive society, and Ambedkar’s values and vision continue to guide feminist principles in India.

    Mains Question

    Q. Ambedkar’s contribution towards women’s rights is often overlooked. In this backdrop discuss his advocacy, contribution to Women’s Rights.

  • China’s Mediation Brings Saudi Arabia and Iran to the Table: An Analysis

    China

    Central Idea

    • China’s mediation efforts have resulted in the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which is significant in terms of regional stability and the changing dynamics of international diplomacy.

    What is Mediation?

    • Mediation is a deliberate attempt to reconcile differences between two parties, and it plays a significant role in international relations. In this op-ed, we will discuss China’s recent mediation efforts that led to the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

    Background

    • Conflicts in GCC: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been facing several tensions and conflicts since 2016, mainly related to Yemen and Syria. However, bilateral efforts have been underway since early 2016 to ease these tensions.
    • Bilateral efforts: Talks were held in Baghdad and during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to China in February 2023. The Emir of Kuwait and the Sultan of Oman initiated steps that were responded to by Iran. All concerned were worried about the attacks on shipping and energy facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates.

    China’s Mediation Efforts

    • Resumption of diplomatic relations: In a joint statement on March 10, 2023, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and China announced that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran covering a resumption of diplomatic relations between them and a re-opening of their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months.
    • Terms of the agreement: The agreement affirmed their respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and said the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their Ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.
    • For instance; One agreement and seven achievements: Iranian National Security Adviser Ali Shamkhani lent credibility to the accord. A commentary in an Iranian newspaper on March 11 depicted the event as ‘One agreement and seven achievements’; it listed the latter as
    1. Tehran’s willingness to engage in dialogue;
    2. Failure of the U.S.’s effort to isolate Iran;
    3. Strengthening of the alliance of Islamic Countries;
    4. Failure of Israeli efforts against this agreement;
    5. Failure of U.S. effort to show the Iranian public that it has no choice but to agree to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with America;
    6. Beijing’s successful entry in West Asian relations, and
    7. Failure of dreams of regime change.

    American and Israeli Reactions

    • US; Change in terms of reference in international diplomacy For US:S. reactions, apart from unconcealed surprise, reflected the change in terms of reference in international diplomacy.
    • Israel; a fatal blow to a regional coalition against Iran: Equally surprised was Israel, the other major player in the region, which saw it as a fatal blow to the effort to build a regional coalition against Iran.

    The Indian stand

    • India’s reaction to this development has been restrained: Apart from historical linkages, the region is in India’s proximate neighbourhood and within its security parameters.
    • Trade a priority: It is the principal source of hydrocarbon imports, and increasingly of investments. It is also an important destination for manpower exports apart from being a major trading partner including projects.
    • Policy of avoiding interference in bilateral and regional disputes: The official policy has focused on bilateral relations and avoidance of involvement in bilateral and regional disputes.
    • Refrained from speculative ventures: Given these priorities, India has consciously refrained from speculative ventures in alternate security architectures apart from supporting cooperative security and freedom of waterways and of navigation.

    Conclusion

    • China’s mediation efforts have played a significant role in bringing Saudi Arabia and Iran to the negotiating table. This development is significant in terms of regional stability and the changing dynamics of international diplomacy. India’s response to this development has been restrained, focusing on bilateral relations and avoiding involvement in regional disputes. The region should not be viewed in competition with China, and India should not consider itself a surrogate for those who have been outplayed in power games.

    Mains Question

    Q. Analyze the significance of China’s mediation efforts in bringing Saudi Arabia and Iran to the negotiating table and its impact on international diplomacy. Evaluate India’s response to this development.

  • Constitution Bench formed in Same-Sex Marriage Case

    bench

    The Supreme Court has announced the formation of a new Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to hear a series of petitions seeking legal recognition of same sex marriages.

    What is a Constitution Bench?

    • The constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India.
    • The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench and refer cases to it.

    Constitution benches are set up when the following circumstances exist:

    1. Interpretation of the Constitution: Article 145(3) provides for the constitution of at least five judges of the court which sit to decide any case “involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution of India.
    2. President of India seeking SC’s opinion: When the President has sought the Supreme Court’s opinion on a question of fact or law under Article 143 of the Constitution. Article 143 of the Constitution provides for Advisory jurisdiction to the SC. As per the provision, the President has the power to address questions to the apex Court, which he deems important for public welfare.
    3. Conflicting Judgments: When two or more three-judge benches of the Supreme Court have delivered conflicting judgments on the same point of law, necessitating a definite understanding and interpretation of the law by a larger bench.
    • The Constitution benches are set up on ad hoc basis as and when the above-mentioned conditions exist.
    • Constitution benches have decided many of India’s best-known and most important Supreme Court cases, such as:
    1. K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (Preventive detention)
    2. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (Basic structure doctrine) and
    3. Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (OBC reservations) etc.

    Why in news now?

    • The Centre had expressed its concern about the “psychological impact” that same-sex unions could have on children, but refused to link its worries to stigma about same-sex relationships.
    • The government’s recent affidavit sought to explain how same-sex marriage was antithetical to the view held by many in India that marriage was a “holy union, a sacrament and a sanskar” between a biological man and a woman.

     

  • Top-notch Aspirational Toilets to usher in change

    toilet

    The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued a directive to all state governments to ensure that 25% of public toilet seats added in any city or urban unit are “aspirational toilets.”

    What are Aspirational Toilets?

    • The aspirational toilets scheme was launched in September 2022 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, with an aim to help make cities open defecation free.
    • A quarter of all new public restrooms in Indian cities will soon have high-end features such as luxurious bath cubicles, touchless flushing, breast-feeding rooms, and automatic sanitary napkin incinerators.
    • These will be indicated as “aspirational toilets” on Google Maps.

    Focus areas for constructing aspirational toilets

    • The focus areas for constructing these luxury toilets will be tourist and religious destinations, as well as iconic cities.
    • High-footfall locations such as markets, railway stations, inter-state bus depots, and national highways will be given priority.
    • Guidelines have been issued to the states for constructing these toilets. It also includes low-height toilets and basins for children.
    • Hand-dryers, paper napkins, and vending machines for sanitary napkins are proposed to be made available.

    Maintenance and funding patterns

    • One of the business models being explored for the maintenance of these toilets is attaching them with other public services such as restaurants, shopping malls, libraries, cinema halls, or even medicine shops, to make them self-sustaining.
    • Experts have cautioned that a proper study must be done on the location and the way these toilets will be maintained before beginning any such project.

    Back2Basics: Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0

    Description
    Objective Make all cities in India “garbage-free”
    Period 5 years (1st Oct 2021 – 1st Oct 2026)
    Focus Sustainable solid waste management, sustainable sanitation and treatment of used water, and promoting behavior change through citizen outreach
    Segregation of waste All households and premises required to segregate their waste into “wet waste” and “dry waste”
    Collection of waste Aims to achieve 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each household/premise
    Waste management Aims to achieve 100% scientific management of all fractions of waste, including safe disposal in scientific landfills, remediation of all legacy dumpsites, and the conversion of these sites into green zones
    Sanitation Aims to promote holistic sanitation, with end-to-end solutions, treatment of used water before discharge into water bodies, and maximum reuse of treated used water
    Citizen outreach Aims to create awareness and institutionalize “Swachh” behavior through large-scale citizen outreach
    Institutional capacity Aims to create institutional capacity to effectively implement programmatic interventions to achieve mission objectives