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Loan Based Schemes For Safai Karamchari - Sanitary Marts Scheme

A contributory Loan scheme by Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment for individual beneficiaries/self help groups of Liberated Safai Karamchari, Manual Scavengers and their dependants aged 18 years and above, for setting up A Sanitary Marts (SM) is a one-stop-shop for all things for sanitation

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Who can apply

Registered co-operative societies of the target group.; Legally constituted association/firm promoted by the target group, and; Persons, who produce a certificate from local Revenue Officer/local Municipal Officer/Cantonment Executive Officer/ Railway Officer, Head of the Govt. Departments (i.e. Schools, Colleges, Forest, Health, Education, Animal Husbandry) having rank not less than Gazetted Officer, Elected Members of Municipal Body, Pradhan of Gram Panchayats, and Regional Managers of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)/Public Sector Banks (PSBs). However, under the MS Act, 2013, a person identified as a Manual Scavenger in a survey, need not provide any certificate once his/her name appeared in the final list of Manual Scavengers prepared by State Governments/Union Territory Administration (https://nskfdc.nic.in/en/content/home/ms-survey-2018, https://nskfdc.nic.in/en/node/79798 ).; Mukhia/ Sarpanch/ President or any other authority equivalent to Pradhan of Gram Panchayat for the issue of Occupation Certificate to Safai Karamcharis/ dependants; and In case of Municipal Bodies without Gazetted Officers, the head of such Municipal Bodies, maybe the Competent Authority.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is moratorium period?

A moratorium period refers to a particular period of a loan tenure during which the borrower does not have repay anything. It can be described as a waiting period before the borrower will have to start paying the equated monthly installments (EMIs) for his or her loan

Does the scheme provide loans to all Unorganized Workers persons?

No, the scheme provides loans only to Safai Karamchari, Manual Scavengers and their dependants

How does the scheme provide assistance?

Under this scheme, term loans are extended through State Channelising Agencies (SCA), Regional Rural Banks(RRBs) and Nationalised Banks to the target group.

Is there any income limit for the scheme?

The Scheme Guidelines do not mention any income limit. However, other things being equal, NSKFDC accords priority to economic development and rehabilitation of:- i) Manual Scavengers and amongst scavengers those scavengers whose income is below double the poverty line; ii) Women from among the target group and iii) Disabled persons among the target group. * Financial viability, income generating capacity of the project etc. are considered while evaluating the projects for financing.

I am a Domestic Worker, am I eligible for the scheme?

No, You are not eligible.

I am a Waste Picker, am I eligible for the scheme?

Yes, You are eligible.