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This is a loan scheme from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help Liberated Safai Read More... Karamcharis, Manual Scavengers, and their dependants aged 18 and above set up 'Sanitary Marts' – one-stop shops for sanitation and hygiene products. Read less

Details

Are you a Safai Karamchari or a Manual Scavenger looking to start your own business? The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has a scheme that can help you set up a Sanitary Mart.

What Is This Scheme?

The Sanitary Marts Scheme offers financial assistance in the form of loans to individuals or self-help groups from the Safai Karamchari and Manual Scavenger communities. The goal is to empower them to establish Sanitary Marts, which are essentially stores selling sanitation and hygiene products.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is specifically designed for Liberated Safai Karamcharis, Manual Scavengers, and their dependants who are 18 years or older. Registered co-operative societies, legally constituted associations, or firms promoted by these groups can also apply.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This initiative aims to provide economic opportunities and promote self-reliance among a group that has historically faced significant challenges. By enabling them to set up Sanitary Marts, the scheme supports entrepreneurship and contributes to better sanitation access in communities.

Objective

This is a loan scheme from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help Liberated Safai Karamcharis, Manual Scavengers, and their dependants aged 18 and above set up 'Sanitary Marts' – one-stop shops for sanitation and hygiene products.

Benefits

Unit Cost:₹60,000 per hectare.Scale of Subsidy:50% of the Unit Cost, which is ₹30,000 per hectare.Release of SubsidyThe subsidy will be released in two installments:

1st installment: 60% of the unit cost.

2nd installment: 40% of the unit cost.

Mode of PaymentThe Joint Director (Extn.) / Deputy Director (Extn.), after confirming the admissibility of the claim, will release the 1st and 2nd installments of the eligible subsidy amount to the grower's bank account throughEFT/RTGS/NEFT.

Sources and references

Grower's Registration (UMANG)

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, you must be:

Safai Karamcharis (including Wastepickers), identified Manual Scavengers, and their dependants.
Registered co-operative societies formed by the target group.
Legally constituted associations or firms promoted by the target group.
Individuals who can provide a certificate from a local Revenue Officer, Municipal Officer, Cantonment Executive Officer, Railway Officer, or a Head of a Government Department (rank not below Gazetted Officer), or an elected Member of a Municipal Body, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat, or Regional Manager of Regional Rural Banks/Public Sector Banks.

Note: As per the MS Act, 2013, if your name appears in the final list of Manual Scavengers prepared by the State Governments/Union Territory Administration, you do not need to provide this certificate. You can check the lists here: MS Survey 2018 and Manual Scavenger List.

For Municipal Bodies without Gazetted Officers, the head of such Municipal Bodies can be the Competent Authority for issuing Occupation Certificates to Safai Karamcharis/dependants.

How To Apply

Term loans under this scheme are provided through:

State Channelising Agencies (SCAs)
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
Nationalised Banks

You will need to contact your nearest SCA, RRB, or Nationalised Bank to understand their specific application procedures.

Official Sources:

For more details, you can visit the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) website: https://nskfdc.nic.in/

Documents Required

While the exact list might vary slightly by the lending institution, the indicative documents usually include:

Aadhaar Card (This is generally recommended but not always mandatory).
Occupation Certificate (As mentioned in eligibility criteria, issued by the relevant authority).

FAQ’s

Can I apply if I work as a Waste Picker?

Yes, Wastepickers are considered eligible for this scheme.

What does a moratorium period mean for my loan?

The moratorium period is a grace period during which you don't have to make any loan repayments. For this scheme, you get 6 months of moratorium, in addition to 4 months for implementation, before you start paying back your loan.

Who is eligible to get loans under this scheme?

The scheme is designed for Safai Karamcharis, Manual Scavengers, and their dependants. It also covers registered co-operative societies and legally constituted associations or firms promoted by these groups.

What if I am a Domestic Worker?

Unfortunately, if you are a Domestic Worker, you are not eligible for this specific scheme.

How does the government provide loans for this scheme?

The scheme provides loans through State Channelising Agencies (SCAs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and Nationalised Banks. These institutions will handle the loan disbursement to the eligible beneficiaries.

Is there an income requirement to apply for the loan?

The scheme guidelines do not specify a minimum income limit. However, the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) prioritizes those with lower incomes, women, and disabled persons from the target group. The financial viability and income-generating potential of your proposed Sanitary Mart will also be considered.