Balbir Ram, Vice Chairperson SC, ST, BC Development Corporation, took a meeting with senior officers of the Corporation to discuss the schemes meant for the upliftment of safai karamchari registered with Municipal Corporations and Committees in the state.
In the meeting held at Jammu Head Office, the officers had a detailed account of the schemes operational under National Safai Karamchari Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC), which is an Apex Body of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. He was informed that funds are provided by NSKFDC and channelised by Corporation under the schemes which envisages upliftment of this category and class of workers and provides them funds to explore alternate means of income. The concept of this funding is also to rid this category of people from old, manual system of garbage disposal and augment their technical skills so that they can also enjoy a dignified living and benefits are extended to their families as well, the officers in the meeting conveyed to the Vice Chairperson.
Ghulam Qadir Khatana, Divisional Manager of the Corporation, told that the funding pattern allows huge benefits as under any particular case, 95 % of the funding is extended by the NSKFDC and only 5% has to be borne by the beneficiary. The rate of interest is 4-6% for the loan sought by the beneficiary, he said adding that the maximum financing for any venture or skill development is borne by the Corporation.
Speaking in the meeting, Balbir Ram said while the governments, both in the state and at the Centre have been relentlessly working towards betterment and welfare of SCs, STs, BCs,Minorities, thrust of this scheme under the NSKFDC is to give benefits to safai karamcharies, who, for many years, have been in cleanliness job . What makes their job tough is the age old practices of manual dumping of garbage etc and it is in this direction the Corporation schemes can provide them succor. He further said the Corporation should identify bonafide beneficiaries so that monetary benefits can reach families who need it most urgently.
Besides Divisional Manager, prominent among others who attended the meeting today included, Joginder Pal District Manager and Sanjay Abrol Field officer in the Corporation.
