National Safai Karamchari Finance and Development Corporation has not conducted any survey in this regard as there is no report of death due to Manual Scavenging (cleaning of human excreta) as defined under section 5 of the MS Act, 2013.

There is no deaths due to manual scavenging in Tamil Nadu. However, 43 persons have lost their lives due to hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks and non observance of safety precautions prescribed under the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013”.

Government is implementing a Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS). The following are the provisions for providing assistance to the identified manual scavengers for their rehabilitation:-

1. One Time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to one identified manual scavenger in the family.
2. Skill Development Training of manual scavengers and their dependants upto two years with stipend @ Rs. 3,000/- per month during the training period.
3. Capital Subsidy upto Rs. 5.00 lakh for those who availed loans for Self Employment Projects including sanitation related projects.
4. Health insurance under Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to the families of all the identified manual scavengers.

The following are the achievements of coverage of manual scavengers and their dependants under the Scheme in last five years:-

 (No. of beneficiaries covered)

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MG/RNM