The sight of Hon. Prime Minister washing feet of the group of Swachchta Udyami at Kumbh 2019 at Prayagraj has become immortal in the minds of all Bharatiyas.
For Centuries the job of Scavengers was considered unholy and regarded with disrespect.
But, We all know, their deeds are our essential need.
Imagine, what would happen if the Scavengers go on a strike for any length of time. The country would be flooded with filth...!!!
Manual Scavenger may be defined as a person engaged in manually cleaning, carrying, disposing of the human excreta form an insanitary latrine or an open drain or pit into which human excreta from the insanitary latrines is disposed off before the excreta fully decomposes.
Narendrabhai Modi Ji’s idea of inclusive governance is not limited to religious or geographical inclusion but it is dedicated to the conclusion of every single Bharatiya. With this objective of granting respectful status, along with financial strength to Swachchta Udhyami at heart, Hon. Prime Minister implanted Swachchta Udyami Yojna (SUY) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 2nd October 2014.
The scheme has twin objectives of cleanliness and providing livelihood to Safai Karmcharis and liberated Manual Scavengers to achieve the overall goal of “Swachch Bharat Abhiyan”.
The SUY extends financial assistance for Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Pay and Use Community Toilets in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode and Procurement and Operation of Sanitation related Vehicles.
The significant intention behind Construction and Maintenance of Community Toilets is for easy accessibility of Community latrines to the households (not having any such facilities the houses) and for floating population in public places with high footfalls such as Bus Station, Railway Station, Markets etc.
The scheme ensures proper maintenance of the facilities which would eradicate the necessity of manual scavenging. Procuring and maintaining Sanitation related Vehicles, ascertains creation of appropriate infrastructure for tapping the under-utilised potential of the service of collecting garbage from the source. Above all, it generates employment opportunities for the target group of Safai Karamcharis/ manual Scavengers.
Any individual beneficiary or the Self help group in collaboration with a reputed organisation is entitled to get the benefit from this Yojna.
The loan can be availed for the purpose of Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Pay and Use Community cluster of Laterins under PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode.
Loan upto Maximum 25 Lakhs can be provided for setting up units of 10 seater Toilets by an individual or a self help group at the interest rate of 4% p.a. (Rebate of 1% p.a. for a woman beneficiary and 0.5 % for timely payment) for upto 10 years. Moratorium period granted would be of Six months, in addition to the implementation period of Six months. Maximum subsidy of 3.25 Lakhs is payable under the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) where the unit is set up by the Scavengers.
Ganesh Rai has been employed as Safai Karamchari in the local Nagarpalika of Lonavala in Maharashtra..It was difficult to sustain a family of five with his minuscule source of income. Both his growing sons were enterprising in nature and Ganesh’s wife was enthusiastic to contribute to family income.
With advent of the SUY, they applied for loan of 15 Lakhs and constructed Pay n Use toilets near the bus station. With loan on Ganesh’s wife Sulbha’s name, they received rebate if 1%. Both the sons, along with their education took care of Toilet Maintenance and its upkeep. Rest of the time, Sulbha looked after the new venture and they managed to repay the loan within the stipulated time.
National Safai Karamchari Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) provides Skill Development training to the beneficiaries and their dependents along with the stipend during the training period. The repayment period is of five years for projects upto Rs Five Lakhs and Seven years (including Moratorium period of two years) for projects above Rs. Five Lacs.
Jai Singh, aged 26, resident of Ramgarh, Shekhawati in Rajasthan was dependent on his father, Narendra Singh, who is a Safai Karamchari. He could barely contribute to family income as his salary doing odd jobs was insufficient. A friend informed him about the Skill Development training Programme of NSKFDC for Safai Karamcharis, Scavengers and their dependants. Hence, Jai Singh, enrolled for the course of “Housekeeper cum Cook”. Jai Singh found a job at Dr. Arora’s Homecare, Fatehpur as Housekeeper at a salary of 10,000/- p. m after completing the course of three months. His entire life changed and now he is a strong contributor to the family income.
Asha Devi, aged 34, is a resident of Johripur in New Delhi, married to a Safai Karamchari. She has been dependent on her husband and has no earning of her own.
With growing children and expanding family, the sole breadwinner husband found it difficult to make the two ends meet . Asha Devi always had the deep urge to stand on her own two feet and contribute in running the household,. She enrolled herself in the Skill Development Programme conducted by NDKFDC for the course of “Unarmed Security Guard”.
Asha Devi, successfully completed the training course of 200 hrs. She was offered a job from G4S secure solutions at Tronica City as Security Guard and is earning Rs 14,387/- per month.
Asha Devi’s earnest wish to become self reliant could be fulfilled due to SUY.
Mahatma Gandhi was a devoted believer of abolishing Untouchability as well as Spreading cleanliness. Both these values, close to Mahatma’s heart have been inculcated by Hon. Prime Minister in his mission of creating Naya Bharat.
SUY provides an opportunity for Safai Shramjeevi to become an entrepreneur while unfurling cleanliness in the surrounding.
Modiji led Government is based on the principle of Antyodaya. Antyoday means uplifting the persons belonging to the lowest eco-socio starta of the society.
Strengthened Safai Kamdaar paints an inspiring picture of Governance based on Antyodaya.
Isn’t it true Socialism...?