Previous Year Question
Which one of the following programmes aims for its completion by 2nd October 2019?
Jan Dhan Yojana
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
Janshree Bima Yojana
Swachh Bharat Mission
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on 2 October 2014. A major target of its first phase was to expand sanitation coverage and eliminate open defecation by 2 October 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
In rural areas, its major objectives included providing access to toilets to every household, achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, bringing about behavioural change in sanitation practices and transforming sanitation into a people's movement.
It was not merely a toilet-construction programme. It also emphasised sustained toilet use, hygiene behaviour, community participation and Solid and Liquid Waste Management.
By 2 October 2019, all villages, Gram Panchayats, districts, States and Union Territories had declared themselves ODF. More than 100 million toilets were constructed in rural India during this period.
2 October 2014 → Swachh Bharat Mission launched
2 October 2019 → Target date / 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
Current Status
After Phase-I, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II was introduced with emphasis on sustaining ODF status and developing ODF Plus villages through Solid and Liquid Waste Management.