Delhi government has introduced a scheme to assist manual scavengers into becoming sanitation entrepreneurs. Under the social welfare department’s scheme, 200 manual scavengers are being provided financial help to buy sewer cleaning machines. These will be used by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the owners will be paid a monthly sum that will not only help them repay their loans but pay hired labour and earn an income.
Loan for sewer cleaning machines
“The schemed is aimed at stopping deaths during the cleaning of drains and sewers by replacing all manual interventions with mechanised options,” explained Delhi social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam. The department claimed that the deployment of 200 machines would begin from September. “The detailed modalities are being worked out, but we estimate that each beneficiary will earn a net monthly income of around Rs 50,000 after paying the machine driver and other helpers,” added Gautam.