Port Blair, Jan 28: The Port Blair Municipal Council association with Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and National Safai Karamchari Finance Development Corporation organised 01 Day Loan Mela workshop on 28.01.2021 at Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Auditorium, Aberdeen Bazaar. The main theme of the workshop was to eliminate the manual scavenging of Septic Tanks & Sewers by adopting mechanised system.

During the workshop MoHUA & NSKFDC stressed & sensitised the Self Help Groups & Safai karamcharis towards the benefits for availing the scheme offering  upto 50% direct cost subsidy and 100% Loan availability on the remaining cost. The interest rate offered is minimally kept at 4% and further reduced to 3% for women. Under the scheme various equipments, machineries, sanitation vehicles and plant establishment projects are available for funding by NSKFDC. On procuring this benefit, PBMC shall offer engagement services to such beneficiaries as per the scheme guidelines.

The loan mela was enthusiastically attended by 05 Self Help Groups and around 300 safai karamcharis. Besides the  Swachhata Udyami Yojana, varoius beneficial schemes for safai karamcharis were also informed to them.

This workshop is likely to uplift the livelihood options of safaikaramcharis. Spirit of entrepreneurship among the unemployed youth is also likely. Dedicated handholding support for effective waste management in the jurisdictional limit of Port Blair Municipal Council to make the city clean and hygiene shall be ensured with the active receipt of benefits of the scheme.