http://www.groundreport.com/Business/J-K-Government-proposing-to-ban-on-removing-night-_1/2922366
J&K Government proposing to ban on removing night soil by scavengers: Sakina by Vijay Kumar April 24, 2010 Jammu, April 24 (Scoop News) -- J&K Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo today said that the Government is contemplating to ban the manually removing of night soil (human excreta) by scavengers, `for the same purpose, a comprehensive self-employment scheme for rehabilitation of scavengers and their dependents has been launched in the State to liberate them from the occupation of removing night soil. Sakina Itoo was addressing at a function organized in Jammu today by SC/ST Corporation to provide loan assistance to beneficiaries belonging to SC/ST enabling them to set up their own income generating units. Sakina said that the Government is proposing to ban on removing night soil by scavengers manually in terms of Central Act of 1993. For this purpose, the SC/ST Corporation imparts training and loan assistance to identified beneficiaries to rehabilitate them in alternate trades and occupation, the Minister added. She distributed loan assistance of Rs 3 crore among 168 beneficiaries of SC/ST community of Jammu division for establishment of income generating units. Sakina enjoined upon the beneficiaries to utilize the loan assistance under SC/ST category to improve their living standard. She said that SC/ST Corporation provides loans to the poor sections of the society on nominal interest to help them set up their income generating units so that they can live a dignified life. Sakina said Social Welfare Department is also providing educational loan to the people living under below poverty line (BPL) and minority students to help them peruse their educational pursuits. She said it was the dream of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah to see the poor sections of the society living a prosperous and respectable life. The Minister also stated that the Corporation has so far covered 27878 persons of the target group persons and provided loan assistance to the tune of Rs 10166.17 lakh. She further added that during the year 2009-10, the Corporation has sanctioned loans in favour of 784 beneficiaries to the tune of Rs 101722 lakhs disbursed loan assistance Rs 412.35 lakh to 315 persons under Direct Financing Schemes in collaboration with the National level Corporation of Centre and under Bank tie-up 635 persons were provided financial assistance of Rs 259 lakhs. Secretary SC/ST Corporation, Managing Director SC/ST Corporation, Financial Advisor and Manager Project and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion. www.scoopnews.in
