Lok Sabha Question No. 1243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: L.S. Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1243 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2021

## REHABILITATION OF MANUAL SCA VENGERS

## 1243. SHRI LS. TEJASVI SURYA:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- a) the date of outlawing of manual scavenging in the country and the punishment for the same along with the details and the estimated number of manual scavengers in the country at the time of outlawing it;
- (6) whether the Government is taking cognizance of the existence of manual scavenging in the country, if s0, the details thereof and the estimated number of such individuals;
3. whether the Government has taken up rehabilitation and counselling of persons involved in manual scavenging, if SO, the details thereof;
4. (d) whether the Government has undertaken   reskilling of   persons involved in manual
5. (e) whether the Government is considering introducing more henious punishment for individuals forcing persons to indulge in manual scavenging, if sO, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a) and (b): The 'Prohibition of Employment as Manual  Scavengers and their Rehabilitation

Two surveys have been conducted by the concerned local authorities in years 2013 and 2018 to identify manual scavengers as per the MS Act; 2013. These surveys identified 58,098 eligible manual scavengers:

- (c) and (d): The Central   Sector; "Self Employment Schemne for Rehabilitation of  Manual Scavengers' (SRMS) ` provides rehabilitation benefits to manual scavengers and their dependants, which includes re-skilling in alternative occupations, as under:
- One Time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to one identified manual scavenger in family.
- Skill Development Training to identified manual  scavengers and their dependants for their skilling in alternative occupations with stipend@ Rs. 3,000/- per month.
- Concessional loan upto Rs.15 lakhs for self employment projects with capital subsidy upto Rs. 5.00 lakhs
- iv. Sensitisation   campaigns   and   workshops   organised inspectors, contractors, sanitation workers to  senitize them about safe and   healthy cleaning practices for sewers and septic tanks cleaning

National Safai Karamcharis Finance Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is the nodal agency for implementation of SRMS. The following are the achievement of cumulative coverage under SRMS: -

| SNo.   | Particulars_of benefits_provided_                                                            | Coverage   |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| 1      | One time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to identified manual scavengers (one in a family) _ | 58,098`    |
| 2      | Skill Development Training                                                                   | 16,057     |
| 3_     | Capital Subsidy for Self Employment Project                                                  | 1387       |
| 4      | Workshops                                                                                    | 798        |

(e) No sir: