MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SMT. MANEKA GANDHI)
(a) The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was constituted on 12th August, 1994. Its
term was latter extended upto 31st March, 2002. The Commission is iter-alia expected to
recommend to the Central Government specific programmes of action for elimination of
inequalities and status, facilities and opportunities for Safai Karamcharis, study and
evaluate implementation of programmes and schemes relating to social and economic
rehabilitation of Safai Karamcharis.
(b) Yes, Sir. Central Assistance is provided to States/UTs under the National Scheme of
Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers and their dependents for liberating them from
the hereditary and inhuman occupation of manually removing of night soil and filth and
providing them avenues to engage in alternative and dignified occupations.
(c) About 5.77 lakh scavengers have been identified in the country to be financially assisted
under the scheme. Upon 1998-99, 1.35 lakh scavengers have been trained and 3.25 lakh
scavengers assisted for rehabilitation under the scheme. During 1999-2000, Central
Assistance of Rs. 70 crores has been sanctioned towards assisting 83393 scavengers, the
State-wise details of which are given below:-
S.No. State/UT Central Assistance Scavengers likely to Sanctioned be assisted (Rs, In lakhs)
1. Andhra Pradesh 1041.055 6,025
2. Gujarat 1160.59 15,000
3. Madhya Pradesh 883.375 15,000
4. Rajasthan 1661.79 22,368
5. Tamil Nadu 2253.19 25,000 - Total 7000.00 83,393
(d) The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been pursuing the State/UTs to
aggressively promote the scheme and took the initiative of proposing to them, the adoption
of the concept of Sanitary Marts, as is being successfully implemented in the State of West
Bengal, for the liberation and rehabilitation of scavengers. Several State Governments have
since adopted this concept and accordingly the proposals for the establishment of 3336
Sanitary Marts have been sanctioned during 1999-2000 at a cost of Rs. 70 crores under the
scheme. The National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) which
was set up by Government of India in January, 1997 also acts as apex institution for all
round socio-economic upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis and their dependents by
extending to them concessional financial assistance for establishment of income generating
and viable ventures/projects. The assistance includes:-
1. Term Loan assistance for projects costing upto Rs. 5 lacs to a maximum of 90% of
project cost. Promoters` contribution is not to be insisted upon, upto project cost of
Rs. 2.00 lacs. 100% working capital required by the unit is made part of the unit
cost of financing.
2. Bridge Loan assistance provided against investment subsidy sanctioned or any
other source of funds sanctioned by any recognized agencies for projects costing
upto Rs. 5 lacs.
3. Grant for Skill and Entrepreneurial Development Programmes is provide upto 90%.
The Corporation since inception has disbursed Rs. 34.91 crores benefiting 8473
persons in 18 States/UTs.
