‘Our goal is to help sanitation workers stand on their feet’
NEW DELHI: The National Safai Karamcharis
Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), under the ministry of social justice and Empowerment, was set up in 1997 for the socio-economic upliftment of sanitation workers and their dependants through various loan and non-loan based schemes and programmes. NSKFDC’s managing director M Nagaraj spoke to HT about the initiatives to empower the safai karamcharis. Excerpts:
LOANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SWEEPERS TO START A SANITARY MART — A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR SANITATION NEEDS
What are the latest initiatives of the NSKFDC?
On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, 2014 NSKFDC launched the new scheme Swachhta Udyami Yojana - Swachhta Se Sampannta ki Aur. Under the scheme financial assistance is provided for construction, operation and maintenance of payand-use community toilets in public private partnership (PPP) and procurement and operation of sanitation-related vehicles. This scheme has the twin objective of cleanliness and providing livelihood to sanitation workers and liberated manual scavengers to achieve the overall goal of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” initiated by the Prime Minister. NSKFDC’s Sanitary Marts Scheme extends financial assistance at concessional rate of interest to the target group for starting sanitary mart – a one stop shop where all the sanitary needs of human beings can be met.
What has been the response to these schemes?
NSKFDC has been receiving overwhelming response under these schemes and has sanctioned about `35 crore for more than 600 units under these schemes. NSKFDC has introduced a new scheme Green Business Scheme under which financial assistance would be provided for activities that could tackle climate change along with income generation.
What are you doing to improve skill development of the target group?
We have launched Commercial Motor Driving Training with Self Defense Skills for 250 women in Delhi on pilot basis. NSKFDC also proposes to conduct similar programme in other major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Kolkatta. Under the programme, the trainees are being provided basic motor driving training with self defense training and soft skills. The programme will go a long way in women empowerment and will create self-confidence not only among the women drivers, but also the women passengers, who will be using their cabs.