The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has highlighted how access to credit, equipment subsidies and mechanised tools can help sanitation workers build additional income streams. The case study of Karnati Srinivasa Rao, a 53-year-old sanitation worker in Vijayawada, demonstrates how the Swachhta Udyami Yojana under the NAMASTE Scheme is creating pathways to financial stability for workers in this sector.
How the scheme worked for Srinivasa Rao
Srinivasa Rao joined the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation in 2008 as an outsourced sanitation worker earning Rs 2,500 per month. Over time his salary rose to approximately Rs 22,500 monthly, but this remained insufficient to comfortably cover household expenses, education costs and unexpected emergencies while building savings. His limited schooling, having stopped after sixth standard, restricted his options for other employment.
On 21 August 2025, Srinivasa Rao and four colleagues received support under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana to jointly procure a Gulfer 8 KL desludging vehicle for mechanised sanitation services. The total project cost was Rs 50 lakh. The scheme provided a loan of Rs 31.25 lakh and an upfront capital subsidy of Rs 18.75 lakh to cover these costs.
Through this group venture, Srinivasa Rao now earns an additional Rs 10,000 each month through mechanised sanitation work. His total monthly income has increased from Rs 22,500 to Rs 32,500.
What this means for you
If you work in municipal sanitation or similar roles and face challenges meeting household expenses despite steady employment, schemes like the Swachhta Udyami Yojana may offer paths to supplementary income. The scheme combines loans with upfront subsidies to reduce the financial burden of equipment purchase. By pooling resources with colleagues in group projects, individual sanitation workers can access larger capital investments that generate ongoing monthly earnings alongside their regular wages.