New Delhi: Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said NSKFDC finance initiatives continued to empower sanitation workers through concessional loans and livelihood support across India.
He said the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation disbursed ₹223.47 crore during FY 2025-26, benefiting 29,448 individuals. Nearly 97% of the beneficiaries were women, reflecting a focus on inclusive development.
The average loan size rose to ₹77,000, marking a 16.67% increase over the previous year. The corporation’s cumulative disbursement reached ₹3,340.67 crore, supporting over 6.08 lakh beneficiaries as of March 31, 2026.
The minister said the organisation played a key role in promoting dignity of labour and sustainable livelihoods among sanitation workers, waste pickers, and manual scavengers.
Mechanisation and outreach expand NSKFDC finance impact
To support mechanisation, the corporation released ₹2.89 crore to the Puducherry government for sanitation equipment under the Swachhata Udyami Yojana. It also sanctioned ₹90 lakh in education loans for five students to pursue higher studies abroad.
Further, it signed an agreement with SIDCO to expand operations in Ladakh and held a national meeting of State agencies to strengthen implementation.
Under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem scheme, funds were fully utilised. In addition, ₹14.84 crore subsidy was released to 320 beneficiaries to promote mechanised sanitation enterprises.
Significant progress was reported under the waste pickers programme. Over 3.76 lakh workers were profiled, while 2.49 lakh were verified through e-KYC. During the year, 1.31 lakh workers received PPE kits, and thousands underwent safety and skill training.
Under the rehabilitation scheme for manual scavengers, ₹4.72 crore subsidy supported 204 beneficiaries. Some beneficiaries also received assistance to purchase CNG, petrol, and electric autorickshaws, helping reduce emissions.
The corporation also carried out CSR initiatives in health and sanitation. These included menstrual hygiene programmes, vaccination drives, and water facility projects in schools.
The government said the performance reflected continued efforts to expand financial inclusion and improve livelihoods among vulnerable communities.
