India's first loan mela for informal sector under Safaimitra Campaign to be organised in Ludhiana tomorrow

Ludhiana: Under the Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on November 19, 2020, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation is organising India’s first Loan Mela at Indoor Stadium on Pakhowal Road, here, from 10 am onwards tomorrow, i.e. on January 7, 2021.

The Loan Mela will be inaugurated by Mayor Ludhiana Mr Balkar Singh Sandhu in the presence of Commissioner MCL Mr Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal and other signatories and officers  along with representatives of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, NSKFDC and their Channel Partners, DICCI. 

MC Joint Commissioner Mrs Swati Tiwana informed that ‘Safaimitra’ refers to informal/formal sanitation workers who are involved in cleaning of sewer and septic tanks and related tasks. The Challenge is aimed at preventing Safaimitra from ‘hazardous cleaning’ of sewers/septic tanks through promotion of mechanised cleaning.  

The National Safai Karamchari Finance Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is providing loans to Safaimitras on the recommendation of the Municipal Corporation. With the financial assistance in terms of soft loan, ‘Safaimitras’ can buy equipment/machines for mechanised cleaning of septic tanks/sewers in place of manual cleaning - leading to a dignified and safe life. The Municipal Corporation has mobilised informal workers and loan process initiated for workers under the scheme.

More than 20 exhibitors are participating from all across India.