New Delhi: Seeking to benefit about 40 lakh scavengers and their family members, the Government proposes to introduce a new Central scheme for their rehabilitation.

The 'Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers' will be implemented as a national priority by March 2009, official sources said.

Under the scheme, identified scavengers and their dependents will be provided subsidy and loan for undertaking self-employment ventures.

Beneficiaries will also be provided training upto one year for skill development.

As per survey reports from states, there are 7,70,338 scavengers and their dependents in the country.

The Government defines scavengers as one who is partially or wholly engaged in the obnoxious and inhuman occupation of manually removing night soil and filth.

The scheme envisages providing training, loan and subsidy to identified scavengers, who will get credit from banks, which will charge interest at the rates prescribed under the scheme.

The National Safai Karmacharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) or any other identified agency at the apex level will provide interest subsidy to banks through its State Chanelising Agencies or any other identified agency at the State level for the difference between the interest chargeable by bank and the interest to be charged from the beneficiaries under the scheme.