'Sanitary mart' for scavengers

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 17. A Centrally-sponsored `sanitary mart' project to help scavengers turn a new life is likely to take off soon in the state.

The project will be dovetailed with the rural sanitation programme and the national scheme for liberation and rehabilitation of scavengers launched during 1990-91 by the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO).

The TAHDCO plan was designed to end the inhuman practice of manually removing night soil and filth, liberate scavengers from such an occupation and rehabilitate them in alternative and dignified occupations.

Last year alternative employment was provided to around 3000 scavengers involving an outlay of Rs. 1043.50 lakhs comprising Rs.243.50 lakhs as subsidy and Rs. 150 lakhs as margin money from TAHDCO.

Under the `sanitary mart' plan, training will be imparted to scavengers in the manufacture of low cost sanitaryware followed by a grant of Rs. 5 crores to Rs. 10 crores to a group of 20 scavengers.

They will fan out to rural areas and help convert dry latrines into wet latrines and the plan will help them earn a decent living.

Mrs. Menaka Gandhi, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, today called on the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, at the Secretariat and explained the details of the Union Social Welfare Ministry sponsored `sanitary mart' scheme.

Talking to media persons after a 35-minute meeting with Mr. Karunanidhi, she said the new scheme had been readied and so far 170 groups formed. She had requested the Chief Minister to inaugurate the `sanitary mart' scheme around Chennai.

Another subject she broached with the Chief Minister was the `largescale' transport of cattle in painful conditions from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. She referred to the `furore' from many sections over the cruelty and urged the Chief Minister to look into it and have a check on the inter-State border.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Mr. A.P. Muthusami, Finance Secretary, Mr. P.V. Rajaraman, Secretary, Municipal Administration, Mrs. S. Malathi and the Social Welfare Secretary, Mrs. Sheela Balakrishnan.

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Section  : Southern States
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