The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has highlighted how the Swachhta Udyami Yojana, a government scheme supporting sanitation workers, has helped a Bihar-origin professional in Ghaziabad improve his earnings and family circumstances. The case of Harish Chandra Parbat shows how mechanised equipment and financial support can transform the economic prospects of sanitation workers and their dependents.
The scheme and the support provided
The Swachhta Udyami Yojana offers financial assistance to sanitation professionals to upgrade their operations and livelihoods. In Harish Chandra Parbat’s case, he received support on 26 November 2021 to purchase a tractor-cum-suction machine for sewerage and septic tank services. His project cost was pegged at Rs 9,75,400. The government provided an upfront capital subsidy of Rs 3,68,850 and a loan component of Rs 6,06,550. As of 27 May 2026, his remaining loan balance stands at Rs 1,27,490.
Parbat, aged 46 and originally from Siwan district in Bihar, had migrated to Delhi in 2015 and worked in sanitation activities for five years before accessing the scheme. He belongs to the OBC/Goswami community and completed education up to class twelve.
Impact on earnings and family life
Before receiving assistance, Parbat’s monthly income ranged from Rs 13,000 to Rs 14,000, leaving little room for savings after covering rent, household expenses and support for his mother. With mechanised equipment, his monthly earnings rose to approximately Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000. This improvement allowed him to bring his wife and children to Delhi from 2022 onwards and invest in their education. His three children are now pursuing undergraduate degrees in Delhi, with his eldest son in the final year of graduation, his second son in second year B.Tech, and his daughter in first year B.Tech. He continues to pay monthly rent of Rs 12,000, loan instalments of Rs 13,500, and sends Rs 3,000 monthly to support his mother in Bihar.
What this means for you
If you work in manual sanitation services and lack capital to buy modern equipment, schemes like the Swachhta Udyami Yojana offer both loans and subsidies to upgrade your operations. Higher earnings from mechanised work can free up resources for family needs and children’s education. The scheme demonstrates that targeted government support can help sanitation professionals move from day-to-day survival to building stable, long-term livelihoods.