New Delhi: Centre has said a one-time financial assistance of 40,000 rupees is being given to people who leave manual scavenging. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said this in New Delhi while addressing a meeting on constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes.

He said 9,000 people have been rehabilitated so far. The Minister informed that all states have been requested to send details of bank accounts of such beneficiaries so that the central help can be sent to them through Direct Benefit Transfer.

He said, it is estimated that there are 2.5 lakh manual scavengers across the country. Only 10 to 12 states have sent the details of 12000 manual scavengers. Mr Gehlot said, the Centre is providing training and skill development to people leaving manual scavenging so that they can earn their livelihood