Evaluation Study of The National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers and their Dependents

Abstract

The Assam State Development Corporation for Scheduled Castes implemented the National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers and their Dependents since 1994 95 as the nodal agency. The main objective of the scheme is to identify the scavengers and their families who are partially or wholly engaged in unclean and obnoxious occupation like carrying night soil, cleaning drains, removing dead animals to the dumping grounds etc. and liberate them from such occupation and rehabilitate them with suitable economically viable schemes. For the smooth implementation of the schemes, liberal financial assistance is provided to the scavengers in collaboration with financial institutions. Under this scheme the Corporation motivates the scavengers and their family members to change their traditional occupation by taking up suitable trades and related activities so that they can lead a decent life along with the fellow neighbors. The scheme has added significance to the most backward sections of our society as they have had to face acute hardships arising out of social evils like untouchability, misbehavior and economic backwardness. The characteristic feature of the scavengers living in Assam is that they are mostly urban dwellers and unlike other Scheduled Castes communities of Assam like the Kaibartas, Namasudras, Brittial Banias, Hiras, Jal Keots, Bhui malis, Sutradhars etc. The scavengers belonging to Bansphors, Mehtars or Bhangis do not have distinct habitations. Only after the independence, Government provided residential facilities to them in certain areas of towns and cities. Thus the scavengers till the passing of the Constitution Amendment Order SC of 1950 had to lead a very miserable life devoid of any residences worth the name. They do not have any permanent or temporary residences of their own, nor do they possess any landed property. Educationally they are far behind compared to other General and Scheduled Castes communities. The present research is an evaluation study of the NSLR, and covers the implementing years of 1995 96, 1996 97, 1997 98 and 1999 2000.