Manual scavengers in the Indian capital of New Delhi have been given cold carts so that they can sell fruit and vegetables. Manual scavengers earn a living cleaning dry latrines and clearing carcasses with their bare hands. This practice, officially illegal under legislation from 1993, earns them about Rs. 100 (US$ 2.00 = € 1.50) a day. They are expected to earn up to Rs. 800 (US$ 16.20 = € 12.00) a day selling fresh produce from the cold carts.

The campaign, known as 'Sampoorna Samridhi' (complete prosperity), is a joint initiative of the Indian government and NGO We the People. It was launched at a function at a market in South Delhi, organised by We the People and the Delhi SC/ST/OBC/Minorities and Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (DSFDC), where carts were distributed to 31 scavengers. We The People are covering the largest part of the costs of the carts, and the government is making up the rest and contributing to training fees and other expenses.

The scavengers will be given six days training in how to use the carts, after which they will have to pay Rs. 30 (US$ 0.60 = €0.45) a day to rent them.

Related news:

• India: women manual scavengers to meet human rights commission, Source South Asia, 2 Sep 2008;
• India: former scavengers take fashion show to UN Headquarters, New York, Source, 24 Jul 2008

Web site: DSFDC

Source: IANS / NewKerala.com, 03 Oct 2008

Tags: capacity development, financing, on-site sanitation, south asia, urban wash