New Delhi, Jun 27 (IANS): To rehabilitate the identified manual scavengers in the national capital, the Delhi government on Thursday approved a programme to provide them one-time cash assistance and skill development training with stipends.

The Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, gave its nod to the Social Welfare Department's proposal for rehabilitation of these manual scavengers under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

Under the proposal, the manual scavengers will be given one time cash assistance of Rs 40,000, the government said in a statement.

"Loans for projects of Rs 15 lakh on concessional rates of interest will also be given to the identified manual scavengers," it said.

They will also get credit linked back-end capital subsidy up to Rs 3,25,000 and skill development training up to two years with stipend of Rs 3,000 per month, it added.

Last year, the city government had identified 45 manual scavengers in the Shahdara, North-East and East districts and asked the Social Welfare Department to frame a policy for their rehabilitation.

Other districts were also asked to identify the manual scavengers in their areas.