SWACH-BHARAT ABIYAN LAWS AND PUBLIC ATTITUDE

India is likely to be the most populated country of the world. The geographical area of our country has continuously reduced during last few centuries. But from last few decades due to partition and irresponsible political strategy and lack of statelessness of past governments to surrender the major areas, few islands to neighbouring countries, the situation has turned more complicated in many aspects. Geographically comparing our country with USA, Canada, China etc India has small area to handle the growing population. Although the legislature and Judiciary of the country needs to ensure to create stringent laws such as uniform civil code, population control law and take many other measures, but society has to discipline it self to strictly follow the message of keeping the surroundings clean and hygienic and follow the small family norms for efficient development of coming generation.

Due to absence of Civic sense, strenuous laws and the strict implementation thereof, corrupt nature of employees and their political bosses, we see every where the unhygienic and dirty surroundings, mostly in urban areas. The unorganised development of small industries within residential areas, Medium and large industries in many cities and the addition of untreated poisonous waste of such industries into so many rivers canals and atmosphere, has added to the miseries of dirty and unhygienic living conditions. The huge constructions are made either to develop the residential accommodations for urban people or improve the infrastructure of roads, buildings, hospitals etc the necessary precautions are not taken to reduce the dust etc to keep the environment pollution free.

Excluding the National highways, the liaison/ coordination amongst the different departments is deliberately avoided or delayed by Government officials, politicians of corrupt mentality during the creation of fresh infrastructure or repairs or maintenances of existing infrastructure. Example, when R&B department finishes to construct or repair the road then the IPH department starts digging the road/lane immediately followed by Telecommunication department etc etc, with the result the residents are continuously facing the problems. The nexus of contractors, mafia and different department officials/politicians are responsible about the loss of Govt. ex-chequer, inconvenience of citizens and continues pollution of environment. The pre coordination among different government departments is required with a matured planning before starting any developmental works or maintenances.

The SWACH Bharat Abiyan was launched by the present centre government, few years before with hope to help maintaining the pollution free surroundings and environment. The lot of efforts were made to make the public aware but few sections of Indian society is irresponsible and not habitual to follow the guidelines or directives without the strenuous laws and the strict implementation thereof. So the result is very poor.

In rural areas and developing urban towns/cities in India the problem of open defecation is a serious problem and causes of many diseases. The migratory labour force while residing in developing cities, settle by making temporary Juggies or some local people make temporary hutments in their private plots or land and keep the migratory labourers as tenants but without providing them the regular facility of toilets etc. Such people defecate in open which results into spread of many diseases and unhygienic surroundings. This nuisance is the result of nexus between Land mafia and Local Police officials.

The local bodies or Municipal committee's frame so many planes for keeping the colonies clean and hygienic to improve living conditions of residents. Leaving few cities/ places aside, at the maximum places the implementation sector is absolutely poor at the ground level, although it may be successful at official level in papers while showing the expenses to withdraw the funds so allotted. The present dispensation has strengthened the Panchayat and Local Body Laws with intension to empower the Panches and corporators to work for development of the respective areas and be in constant interaction with civil society and Resident welfare committees falling within their respective Wards and villages to address the problems of the citizens. The people in general were excited with the decision feeling they have to approach to the local representative to get things done easily but barring the few places the majority of the representatives failed to address the issued of the respective areas either due to scarcity of funds or lack of experience, dedication or corrupt approach. This results into aggravated circumstances in different areas due to blockade of drains, worst condition of lanes and streets, nuisance of stray dogs, absence of street lights, daily collection of domestic waste or sweeping of lanes or roads etc.

The present government at New Delhi has worked on different aspects to discipline the public dealings with the help of technology, such as digitalisation, GST, direct transfer policy, availability of online services of Government services, etc and the public has by and large started excepting the procedure after experiencing the transparency and quickness of services.

To make the Swach Bharat Abiyan successful and discipline the public, the Government must make some strenuous laws to create civic discipline among the citizens and simultaneously make the concerned officers and employees accountable with strict monitoring and independent and sudden inspections so that asperity faced by residents due to different lapses are properly addressed and the attitude of public and responsibility of local public representatives, officers and employees is given shape.