NSLRS

Meghalaya Urban Development Agency

Schemes

National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavenger (NSLRS)

As part of eliminating manual scavenging, the Integrated Low Cost Sanitation scheme was implemented in 2 (two) Urban Centres i.e. Shillong and Tura. The objective was to convert the service latrines into sanitary type thereby eliminating manual scavenging. In Shillong, the scheme was initiated during 1998 and against a target of 3000 units, 775 beneficiaries were assisted under the scheme and the remaining had converted out of their own resources. In Tura the scheme was initiated during 1997, and against a target of 4000 units and 581 units were completed through assistance under the scheme and the remaining had converted out of their own resources. Consequent upon implementation of the ILCS schemes, 160 nos. of Scavengers who were engaged earlier in Shillong Municipal Board were liberated from the practice of manual scavenging and converted to road sweepers etc.

The Department of Urban Affairs had drawn up a project report for training and rehabilitation of 160 scavengers and 447 of their dependants amounting to Rs.1.02 crores during the year 1995. The beneficiaries identified were employees of Shillong Municipal Board who were employed as scavengers in earlier years. The project was proposed to be taken up under the National Scheme for the Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers and their Dependants.

During the year 1991-92, Govt. of India had released an amount of Rs. 2.50 lakhs to Social Welfare Deptt. as an assistance for the said programme. Social Welfare Deptt. on its part transferred this amount and after revalidation etc, this amount was sanctioned by the Urban Affairs Deptt. and released to Meghalaya Urban Development Agency during 1997-98 for training. Meghalaya Urban Development Agency was declared as the nodal agency for conducting the training under the programme. A number of attempts were made at the levels of Shillong Municipal Board, Department and Meghalaya Urban Development Agency but none of the beneficiaries came forward to undergo the training. Counseling of the beneficiaries was also organised but this also did not bring about the desired result. It is only during 2004-2005 that some women out of the beneficiary groups has registered themselves under the Societies Act and has come forward to undergo the training. The training of beneficiaries in different trades i.e., tailoring, knitting, embroidery and computers has been completed. Another batch of beneficiaries are also being identified for training in masonry works, production of building material etc. and the entire amount is likely to be utilised by September 2005.