Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment · PIB Delhi · Read the original release on pib.gov.in
- A journey towards dignity and self-reliance
Access to economic support and sustainable livelihood opportunities can play an important role in empowering disadvantaged communities and improving their socio-economic conditions. Support for self-employment and equipment can help low-income workers move toward more stable sources of income, strengthen family economic security, and promote the dignity of work.
Ms Mekala Nancharamma, 30, belongs to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community. She has been working as a garbage collector in Guntur Municipal Corporation for the last 12 years. Coming from an economically weak family, he had to work as a garbage collector at an early age. Due to severe financial constraints she could not go to school and is illiterate. Their livelihoods depended largely on ragpicking, leaving them with limited and irregular income and making it difficult to meet household expenses and secure better opportunities for their children.
Living in a slum-like environment with limited access to basic amenities and essential services further worsened the socio-economic condition of his family. They also faced social exclusion and discrimination due to their weak social and economic circumstances. Despite these challenges, Ms. Nancharamma remained determined to improve her family's economic situation, provide better educational opportunities to her children, and build a secure future.
Ms. Nancharamma received assistance under the Sanitation Entrepreneur Scheme (SUY) through Navajeevan Organization, which proved to be a turning point in her life. Under a group project of two members, financial assistance was provided for the purchase of tractor mounted open drain cleaning equipment. The total cost of the project was Rs 16,99,952, which included loan of Rs 10,24,964 and capital subsidy of Rs 6,74,988.
This support provided Ms. Nancharamma the opportunity to move beyond the traditional work of ragpicking to a more organized and sustainable livelihood. With the help of mechanized equipment he started earning an additional Rs 10,000 per month. Before receiving the assistance, his monthly income was around Rs 8,000, which has now increased to around Rs 18,000.
The increase in income has significantly improved the financial condition of his family. Now he is able to meet household expenses, afford children's education and improve the overall living standard of the family. This livelihood opportunity has also strengthened his economic security, self-confidence and self-esteem.
Ms. Nancharamma said about the assistance that The assistance received under the Swachhta Udyam Yojana has helped me move beyond the traditional work of ragpicking to earning a more stable income. It has strengthened my family's financial security and given me more confidence and respect.
Ms Nancharamma's story demonstrates how targeted financial assistance, access to mechanized equipment and sustainable livelihood opportunities can help vulnerable communities move towards economic independence and self-reliance. The transformation of their participation from dependence on irregular rag-picking work to an organized livelihood shows the potential of empowerment-oriented interventions that can create opportunities for a dignified and secure future.
Today of financial assistance, self-reliance of tomorrow
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
