Launched in April 2018 by the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, GOBARdhan is part of the Solid and Liquid Waste Management component under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen). The scheme is designed to keep villages clean, generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste, and support the move from Open Defecation Free (ODF) to ODF-plus status in rural areas. It creates a common platform for multiple Ministries/Departments to synergize efforts in waste-to-wealth conversion.
Objectives
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Support villages in effectively managing cattle, agricultural, and other organic waste.
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Convert organic waste, particularly cattle dung, into wealth by generating biogas and producing organic manure.
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Create livelihood opportunities and increase rural household income through waste-to-wealth conversion.
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Promote rural entrepreneurship by engaging entrepreneurs, SHGs, and youth groups in the setup and management of biogas plants.
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Enhance environmental sanitation and reduce vector-borne diseases.
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Contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving foreign exchange through reduced natural gas imports.
Benefits
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Village Cleanliness & Public Health:
Improved waste management reduces vector-borne diseases. -
Economic Benefits:
Increases household income by reducing reliance on LPG (via biogas) and generating organic manure to boost farm productivity. -
Entrepreneurship & Employment:
Creates opportunities for SHGs, farmers’ groups, and rural entrepreneurs. -
Environmental Impact:
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports sustainable waste management practices.
Eligibility
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Models:
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Individual Household Model: Beneficiaries identified by Gram Panchayats.
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Cluster Model: Groups of households identified with the help of cooperatives, milk unions, FPOs, SHGs, CBOs, private entrepreneurs, etc. (Households must have at least 3 to 4 cattle.)
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Community Model: Households identified by Gram Panchayats.
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Commercial Model: Entrepreneurs, cooperatives, gaushalas, dairies, etc., eligible to set up large biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants.
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Priority is given to villages with a high cattle population.
Application Process
Offline Process:
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The Gram Panchayat, with support from SHGs/FPOs/milk cooperatives or empanelled agencies, identifies the beneficiaries.
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A project plan document is prepared with the assistance of the selected agencies/BDTCs. This includes identifying masons, barefoot technicians, and engineers for constructing the biogas plants.
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Administrative and technical proposals, including an O&M plan, are submitted for approval by the competent authorities.
Documents Required
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General Documents:
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Aadhaar Card.
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Corporate Identification Number (CIN) or Registration Number.
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Permanent Account Number (PAN).
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Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTN).
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Detailed plant/project information.
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Financial Statement.
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Additional Documents:
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Documents as specified in the official guidelines (such as project reports, site photographs, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the full name of the GOBARdhan scheme?
Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan). -
What is biomethanation?
The process of converting organic waste into biogas (methane) and organic manure. -
What categories of biogas plants are envisaged?
The scheme supports individual, cluster, community, and commercial models. -
What is the minimum capacity of a biogas plant for an individual household?
(Specific capacity details are provided in the official guidelines.) -
How do States and Districts promote the construction of commercial units under GOBARdhan?
Through collaboration with various agencies and financial institutions. -
What are the funding sources for setting up large CBG plants?
Funding is provided via a combination of central and state support with disbursement through SIDBI. -
What is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)?
(Details available in the official guidelines.) -
How will GOBARdhan projects be implemented?
Projects are implemented in collaboration with various ministries and coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. -
What should be included in the project proposal?
Detailed project plans covering infrastructure, O&M, and expected benefits. -
How will suitable locations for community projects be identified?
Through assessments by Gram Panchayats and local authorities. -
Is there any application fee?
(The official guidelines specify if any fee applies.) -
What are the benefits of the GOBARdhan scheme?
Improved village sanitation, increased household income, reduced LPG expenditure, generation of organic manure, employment opportunities, reduced GHG emissions, and foreign exchange savings. -
How does the scheme help in reducing pollution?
By converting waste to biogas and organic manure, the scheme minimizes waste accumulation and environmental pollution. -
Can a farmer with a small cattle farm apply?
(Eligibility is based on model criteria; small farms may be eligible under individual or community models.) -
What is the repayment period for the subsidy?
(Subsidy repayment details are provided in the guidelines.) -
Can an individual apply?
Applications are typically by households or groups as per the model. -
Is training provided under the scheme?
Yes, technical support and training are part of the scheme. -
Can an existing biogas plant owner apply?
(Existing plant owners may be subject to specific eligibility criteria as per the guidelines.)