Loan based Scheme for Pay and Use Community Toilets

The Pay and Use Community Toilets Scheme was** launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims to empower Safai Karamcharis and their dependents through livelihood-linked sanitation entrepreneurship. It is a Loan Based Scheme implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC). The Loans are extended through Channelizing Agencies (CAs) i.e. State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to the target group. The key objective of this scheme is to promote entrepreneurship among Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers, and their dependents by providing financial assistance to set up “pay and use” community toilets. Purpose: 1. Provision of easy accessibility of the community latrines to the households (not having any such facilities in their houses) and for floating population in public places with high footfall e.g. bus stands, railway stations, markets etc. 1. To ensure proper maintenance of the facilities. 1. To prevent the necessity of manual scavenging. Key Features: 1. Loan for Construction & Operation: Financial assistance is provided to build and operate 10-seater community toilet units on a pay-and-use basis. 1. Maximum Loan Amount: Up to ₹25 lakh for one unit. 1. Interest Rates: 4% per annum; 3% for women beneficiaries; 2.5% for timely repayment. 1. Repayment Period: Up to 10 years, including 6 months moratorium on principal repayment.