UP drafts policy to enhance rural sanitation across state

Lucknow: The state govt has introduced a comprehensive new policy to enhance rural sanitation across Uttar Pradesh.
The policy seeks to ensure the effective operation and long-term maintenance of sanitation infrastructure in gram panchayats – a step that aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission's (rural) goals.
According to a state govt spokesperson, a drafting committee led by the director of Panchayati Raj has developed the policy draft in collaboration with development partners and relevant departments.
The new policy aims to enhance waste management systems at the gram panchayat level, ensuring that sanitation progress becomes sustainable and irreversible.
The spokesperson said that the most significant advantage of this policy is that it will empower gram panchayats to become self-reliant in managing sanitation. Detailed guidelines will be provided to panchayats for maintaining sanitation infrastructure, ensuring that toilets, waste management centres, and drainage systems remain fully functional.
Furthermore, installing biogas units under the Gobardhan Yojana will promote clean energy production in rural areas, advancing the govt's vision of sustainable development by converting waste into valuable resources.
The spokesperson said that the key focus areas include solid and liquid waste management, plastic waste disposal, faecal sludge management, and construction of biogas units under Gobardhan Yojana. Additionally, efforts are being intensified to streamline construction and upkeep of individual and community toilets.
The spokesperson claimed that the govt has made substantial progress towards declaring all villages in the state as ODF Plus. This is a result of effective waste management initiatives funded by the Swachh Bharat Mission (rural), the 15th Central Finance Commission, the State Finance Commission, and MGNREGA.
A remarkable 85,827 out of the total 96,174 villages have been recognized as model ODF Plus villages.
The successful implementation of this policy will involve collaboration with various development organizations, technology partners, and social groups.