Those quitting manual scavenging being given Rs 40K: Govt

Stressing on the effective implementation of constitutional safeguards for people belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot has said that a one-time financial assistance of Rs 40,000 was being given to those, who quit manual scavenging.

He added, “So far, 9,000 people have been rehabilitated and all states have been requested to send the bank account details of such beneficiaries so that central help can be provided to them through Direct Benefit Transfer.”

“It is estimated that there are 2.5 lakh manual scavengers across the country. Only 10-12 states have sent the details of 12,000 manual scavengers,” Gehlot said, adding that the government was providing skill development training to people leaving manual scavenging so that they can earn their livelihood.

Gehlot has urged the states to implement constitutional safeguards for SCs effectively to create a crime-free environment against people belonging to the community. 

“The government has strengthened constitutional provisions to check atrocities against SCs and for their empowerment. Urgent steps should be taken to ensure effective implementation these provisions and to set up monitoring mechanism at each level,” he added.

“Eradicating discriminatory practices against SCs is our constitutional responsibility and the state governments should sensitise the official machinery at each level for this purpose. Setting up special courts, the working of the district and state-level monitoring committees and disbursal of the laid down monetary compensation should be monitored at the highest level,” he said.

Gehlot said the persistence of socio-economic backwardness of SCs despite development efforts had warranted a special and focused strategy, inter alia, to enable them to share the benefits of overall economic growth in a more equitable manner.

“This has can be achieved through budgeting for Scheduled Caste Sub Plan, whose prime objective is to channelise funds and benefits by identifying dedicated schemes,” he said.

He added there should be emphasis on SC beneficiary community-oriented schemes and the SCSP funds should be made non-divertible.