Rs 40,000 DBT-linked aid to people leaving manual scavenging

A one-time financial assistance of Rs 40,000 is being given to people who leave manual scavenging and 9,000 people have been rehabilitated so far, Union Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said on Thursday.

He said all states have been requested to send details of bank accounts of such probable beneficiaries so that the Centre help can be sent to them through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

"Though there are an estimated 2.5 lakh manual scavengers across the country but when we sought the information, some 10-12 states have sent us the details and the figure is about 12,228. Of these, 9,000 people have been rehabilitated by us," said Gehlot, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

"We are asking for bank accounts details of people leaving manual scavenging so that Rs 40,000 can be deposited in their account. As there is a DBT scheme by the government of India, we need name and addresses of the beneficiaries to whom the help to be transferred. We will request all states to conduct survey to find out the manual scavengers and to send their bank details so that the amount can be given to them," he said.

Gehlot said the Centre is providing training and skill development help to people leaving manual scavenging so that they can earn their livelihood. "Manual scavenging is a curse and it should be immediately stopped," the Minister said, adding that the deadline to end this practise was December 2014.