The National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC), a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), has been operational since October 1997, working for the socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis, waste pickers, manual scavengers, and their dependents through concessional finance and support interventions. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar has said that NSKFDC continues to play a pivotal role in empowering sanitation workers by enabling access to financial resources, promoting dignity of labour, and fostering sustainable livelihoods.

During FY 2025–26, NSKFDC disbursed ₹223.47 crore of concessional finance to 29,448 beneficiaries (nearly 97% women). The average loan size increased to ₹77,000, marking a 16.67% rise over the previous financial year. With an authorized share capital of ₹785 crore and paid-up capital of ₹720 crore, the Corporation has achieved cumulative loan disbursement of ₹3340.67 crore, benefiting over 6.08 lakh individuals as on 31.03.2026.

To promote mechanisation, NSKFDC released ₹2.89 crore to the Public Health Division, Government of Puducherry, for procurement of six sanitation equipment/vehicles under the Swachhata Udyami Yojana (SUY). It also sanctioned ₹90 lakh in education loans for five students/wards of sanitation workers to pursue higher studies abroad. Further, NSKFDC executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with SIDCO for implementing its schemes in Ladakh and convened a national-level meeting of State Channelizing Agencies to strengthen outreach and implementation across States and Union Territories.

As an implementing agency of the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, the Corporation achieved full utilization of funds released by MoSJE. Under SUY, an upfront capital subsidy of ₹14.84 crore was released for 320 beneficiaries (Sanipreneurs), an increase from 250 in the previous financial year, to promote sustainable mechanised sanitation-based livelihoods.

Significant progress was achieved under the Waste Pickers component, with 3,76,209 waste pickers profiled and 2,49,166 validated through e-KYC. During FY 2025–26, 1,31,279 waste pickers were provided PPE kits, while occupational safety and skill upgradation training was imparted to 1,565 waste pickers and 3,492 sewer and septic tank workers across the country.

Under the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), a capital subsidy of ₹4.72 crore was released to 204 manual scavengers and their dependents, compared to 88 in the previous year, to support sustainable livelihood activities. Notably, 74 beneficiaries were assisted in procuring 40 CNG/petrol autorickshaws and 34 electric autorickshaws, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

NSKFDC also undertook CSR initiatives in health, sanitation, and sustainability, including menstrual hygiene programmes in Madhya Pradesh, a zero-waste village model in Uttarakhand, cervical cancer vaccination in Mumbai, RO water facilities in schools in Uttar Pradesh, and strengthening of Anganwadi centres in Uttarakhand.

Overall, the performance during FY 2025–26 reflects NSKFDC’s continued focus on empowering vulnerable sanitation workers through financial inclusion, livelihood support, and comprehensive social interventions.

 

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Siraj/AJ

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