The Union Cabinet approved the Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers and their Dependents (SRMS) in December, 2006. The objective of the scheme is to Liberate and Rehabilitate all the remaining Manual Scavengers ( including their Dependents), who are still engaged in the obnoxious and inhuman occupation of manually removing the human excreta/ night soil, in a time bound manner by March, 2009. But the Govt. of India, has further given an extension to the scheme upto March. 2010, to ensure the zero existence of manually scavenging in the country.
There are two component of the scheme:
(a). Skill Development Training (as per choice of the Target group persons) and
(b). Loan Assistance for establishment of income generating units.
Identification, Liberation & Rehabilitation - The identification of Manual Scavengers( including their dependenmts) and their Liberation from the obnoxious and inhuman occupation of manually removing human excreta/ night soil and conversion of dry Latrines into wet Latrines is to be done by the Urban Dev. Deptt/Local Bodies( including Municipal Corporations/Councils), Rural Dev./Rural Sanitation, etc. The job of Rehabilitation is entrusted to J&K SC, ST & BC Dev. Corporation in the J&K State.
Rehabilitation of persons identified under the scheme “SRMS” in the State of Jammu & Kashmir - The Urban Local Bodies, after making fresh exercises have furnished two lists, to the corporation, for taking measures of Rehabilitation of “ Manual Scavengers and their Dependents, in the State of Jammu & Kashmir
(A). List of ‘254’ Manual Scavengers &
(B). List of ‘117’ Dependents of Manual Scavengers
The Corporation contacted to all the individuals in the list of ‘254’ (Click here o see the List of ‘254’ persons) and ‘117’. It is has been confirmed that out of the list of ‘254’ persons ‘247’ stood rehabilitated in alternate trades. Seven persons from the list have expired.
Further, the corporation provided training to all the ‘117’ dependents of Manual Scavengers. After completion of training out of ‘117’ persons, ‘83’ have availed the Loan with Bank Assistance and established the income generating units (Click here to see the list of 83 persons). Thirty-Two Persons have not taken the loan and alternatively set-up their Businesses/ units (Click here o see the List of ‘32’ persons). One person from the list has expired and one more has got a Govt. Job.
Latest, reports received from the Urban Local Bodies, Directorates of Rural Sanitations, Social Welfare Department, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils & Municipal Committees, that no person is engaged in the occupation of manual scavenging, as on date, in the Jammu & Kashmir State.