Government sponsored Schemes: SRMS scheme in place of SLRS

The Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers (SLRS) is a government program launched on March 22, 1992. The scheme aims to help people who manually remove night soil and filth transition to cleaner, more dignified work. The scheme envisages primarily people of scheduled caste communities and helps those who manually remove night soil and filth transition to cleaner, more dignified work.

Since the Government of India stopped funding the existing National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers (NSLRS) in 2005-06, public sector banks were advised to implement the SRMS (Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers(SRMS) scheme in place of SLRS (Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers).

The objective of SRMS is to assist the identified manual scavengers and their dependents in their rehabilitation in alternative occupations.

Definition of Scavenger

A “Scavenger” is partially or wholly engaged in the obnoxious and inhuman occupation of manually removing night soil and filth. The dependent Scavenger is a member of their family or is dependent on them irrespective of the fact whether they are partially or wholly engaged in the said occupation. Each scavenger and his / her children who are 18 years of age and above, who are not employed (other than as scavengers) will be identified and rehabilitated.

Identification of manual scavenger:

Identification of manual scavengers is done by the concerned State Governments through a survey by the Urban Local Bodies/Gram Panchyats. A survey of Manual Scavengers was started in 2013 under the provisions of the MS Act, 2013.  In 2018, fresh survey of manual scavengers was started in 194 districts of the country.  During these two surveys the identified till Feb. 2021, 58,098 eligible manual scavengers have been identified and they have been paid the One Time Cash Assistance.(Source: National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation(NSKFDC).

The scheme is being implemented at the national level through the NSKFDC.

The features of the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS):

The Scheme has been revised w.e.f. 1.4.2021. Main features of the revised Scheme are:-

1. Onetime cash assistance of Rs.40000/- to identified manual scavenger.
2. Up-front capital subsidy up to Rs. 5.00 lakh with the provision of concessional Loans for project costs upto Rs. 15.00 lacs.[ Revision in the rates of capital subsidy and its enhancement to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakh as against Rs. 3.25 lakh before 1.4.2021]
3. Uniform rates of capital subsidy for general projects and sanitation-related projects.
4. Capital subsidy is to be paid upfront in place of back-ended capital subsidy earlier.
5. Capital subsidies to also be admissible for projects to be started by group of the target group.
6. Skill Development Training to manual scavengers/dependents up to two years with a stipend of Rs.3000/- per month who opt for such training.
7. Subsidy on Loans to manual scavengers/ sanitation workers and their dependents for sanitation-related projects (for projects upto Rs. 15 lakh)
8. Coverage of Manual Scavengers for Health Insurance under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) Yojana
9. Behavioural Skill Development Training (RPL).
10. Health Camps.
11. Workshops on Hazardous Cleaning of Sewers and Septic Tanks.

Repayment period

The maximum repayment period for projects up to Rs 5 lakh is five years, and for projects up to Rs 15 lakh it is seven years.

Group projects

For group projects, the project cost can be up to Rs 50 lakh per group of up to five members. Each member of the group can have a maximum project share of Rs 10 lakh.

The SRMS is implemented at the national level by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC). State governments identify manual scavengers through surveys conducted by Urban Local Bodies or Gram Panchayats.

Capital Subsidy:

Up-front capital subsidy up to Rs. 5.00 lakh for general projects as well as sanitation-related projects, as follows:-

Subsidy:

Individual projects:

Range of project: Up to Rs. 5.00 lakh: – Subsidy: 50%

Beyond Rs. 5.00 lakh up to 15.00 lakh:- Capital subsidy: Rs. 2.5 lakh+25% of remaining project cost (maximum capital subsidy Rs. 5.00 lakh).

Group Projects:

Capital subsidy is admissible for individuals.

Interest rate:

Projects costing up to Rs. 1.00 lakh: 5% p.a. (4% for women beneficiaries)

Projects costing above Rs. 1.00 lakh: 6%

Training

Training is provided to the beneficiaries to acquire new skills and entrepreneurship capabilities.  Training can be provided by Govt. agencies/Institutes as well as by reputed specialized training agencies.  Training is provided in selected industries/business activities which facilitates gainful employment of the trainees.

Source: National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation(NSKFDC)