Rajeev Chandrasekhar's official website - Member of Parliament

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1584
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2009

Deadline for abolishing Scavenging
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1584.  Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar:

Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation be pleased to state:

(a)    whether the Government has further extended the deadline for abolishing manual scavenging to March, 2010;

(b)    if so, whether Government has also proposed to create a database of 1,15,000 scavengers identified for rehabilitation schemes; and

(c)    the proposed incentives in terms of loans and vocational training envisaged under the rehabilitation scheme for scavengers?

 

ANSWER

MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION
(Kumari Selja)

 

(a)    The Scheme of Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Scheme started in January, 2007, aimed at rehabilitation of remaining manual scavengers and their dependents in a time bound manner, by March, 2009. In view of the substantial number of beneficiaries remained to be rehabilitated as on 31.3.2009, the target of rehabilitation of the work has been extended upto 31st March, 2010.

(b)    The Implementing agencies have been requested by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to prepare a detailed database of all the beneficiaries under the scheme.

(c)    Assistance to beneficiaries for their rehabilitation under the Scheme, include mainly three components :-

(i)    Training: - Scheme covers cost of training to beneficiaries for a period upto one year. Trainees are also provided stipend @ Rs. 1000 per month during the entire period of training.

(ii)    Capital Subsidy: - 50% capital subsidy is provided for projects upto Rs. 25, 000. For projects above 25, 000, capital subsidy @ 25%  is provided subject to minimum of Rs. 12, 500 and maximum of Rs. 20,000

(iii)    Interest Subsidy: - Interest Subsidy is provided to meet the difference between the rate of interest charged by the Bank and the rates of interest under the scheme (4% to 6% per annum) to reduce the interest liability of beneficiaries.

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