KT Rama Rao launches 70 Mini Sewer Jetting Machines first time in India for the usage in smaller lanes in the city

Quoting Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman of DICCI, KTR asked Dalit Entrepreneurs to use capital to fight the caste

Adoption of Modern Technology for Elimination of Manual Scavenging is the joint initiative of HMWSSB, Govt of Telangana and DICCI. It is the first of its kind in India to transform Manual Scavengers, labours to Entrepreneurs

Hyderabad, June 5, 2017: KT Rama Rao, Minister launches 70 Mini Sewer Jetting Machines here in the city in a special function held at People's Plaza at Necklace Road on the occasion of World Environment Day today.

Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Srinivas Yadav, Padma Rao, Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, Dana Kishore, Managing Director, HMWSSB; Padma Shree Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, DICCI; Padma Shree Narra Ravi Kumar, President, DICCI, South India; Ch. Rahul Kiran, President, DICCI, Telengana; Shri Rajashekar, Regional Sales Officer, Tata Motors; Krishna, Managing Director, KamAvida; Kameshwar Rao, Regional Manager, State Bank of India and staff of HMWSSB played a key role in transforming scavenge labour to an entrepreneur were present on the occasion.

The Government of Telangana as part of its prestigious program Swachh Telangana has adopted technology to eliminate manual scavenging. For the first time in India, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) deploying 70 mini jetting machines which were hitherto not possible by those bulky jetting machines to easily access the narrow lanes, smaller colonies and basthis to clear the choked sewer pipes (drainages).

This first of its kind of an initiative in India is the joint effort of HMWSSB and DICCI (Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) to transform Manual Scavengers to Entrepreneurs. This is a historic move as it enables the elimination of manual scavenging and converts labour into an entrepreneur. Each machine costs Rs 26 lakh. SBI gave term loan of Rs 20 lakh per machine while the entrepreneur invested about Rs 6 lakhs each.

Improving the working and living conditions of scavengers have been the priority for the government.

The Government of Telangana committed to mechanize the scavenging activity some time ago has invited tenders worth Rs 20crore per annum from the reputed Manufacturers / Authorized Dealers / Owners of Sewer Cleaning Machines complying with pollution standards for undertaking desilting works in the city of Greater Hyderabad. Today’s launch function is the culmination of the tender process, and the machines are being handed over to the scavenging labour turned entrepreneurs.

“Bacteria Free Dresses” are also provided for the first time in the country to the operators of these Mini Sewer Jetting Machines.

Speaking on the occasion KT Rama Rao told officers that manual scavenging shouldn’t exist in the Telangana State. Manual Scavenging is the most dangerous thing. We should eliminate it totally from the state. Quoting Founder of DICCI, Milind Kamble, KTR said Dalit entrepreneurs must use capital to fight caste. The state government is committed for the development of the Dalits. We have even renamed SC Welfare Department as SC Development Department which will work towards providing dignity to Manual Scavengers. He underlined how Telangana Government is has been relentlessly working to ensure uninterrupted power supply and drinking water during the summer.

By introducing these minis sewer jetting machines first time in India, Hyderabad has become a model city in the country. He told officials to be alert during the monsoon to minimize inconvenience to the people due to the rains.

KT Rama Rao also instructed officials to devise a plan similar to this for Water Tankers and see to it that it will be a win-win solution for both the Board and the contractors. By the next summer, the 700 to 800 private water tankers which are used should be come down to may be 300 or so, he said.

Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman of DICCI termed Manual Scavengers as the Sanitary Soldiers. This initiative of the state government of Telangana of introducing 70 mini sewer Jetting Machines will be a model initiative to be propagated to the governments in the other states. Through this initiative we have created 70 Sanitary Soldiers. Our aim is to create another 5000 Sanitary Entrepreneurs or Soldiers in the next one year across the country. Nearly 1300 manual scavengers died in the last three years across the country. Recently three people died in Faridabad. This must end. He said.

HMWSSB also unveiled two books/leaflets on the occasion.

Scavenging is the highest paid job in the west. Where as it is the least paid job here in India. To eliminate manual scavenging and to provide dignity, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) have joined hands informed Padmasri Ravi Kumar Narra, President DICCI South India.

Manual scavengers are amongst the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in our country. Through this initiative, 40 Scavengers from Telangana State will transform their lives. 50 more potential labours are identified. They will also be helped to procure machines very soon.

DICCI provides Handholding Support for SC/ST Entrepreneurs
DICCI working for the promotion of SC/ST entrepreneurship has spotted an opportunity here in this regard. DICCI identified 70 potential entrepreneurs and motivated them to participate in the open tender process. It gave them a hand holding support, helped in documentation process and preparation of project reports. Due to this, these 70 entrepreneurs could able to quote competitive price and get the tender awarded in their names. After the award of tender, DICCI further helped the entrepreneurs in the preparation of project proposal reports for getting the financial assistance via “Stand Up India” Scheme from State Bank of India.

“Stand-Up India” a Boon for SC/ST/Women
Stand-Up India Scheme introduced by the Government of India was crucial in getting the financial assistance without collateral. The objective of the Stand-Up India scheme is to facilitate bank loans between 10 lakh and 1 Crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a greenfield enterprise. This enterprise may be in manufacturing, services or the trading sector. In case of non-individual enterprises at least 51% of the shareholding and controlling stake should be held by either an SC/ST or Woman entrepreneur. The Stand-Up India scheme is based on recognition of the challenges faced by SC, ST and women entrepreneurs in setting up enterprises, obtaining loans and other support needed from time to time for succeeding in business. The scheme therefore endeavors to create an eco system which facilitates and continues to provide a supportive environment for doing business.

DICCI also identified Tata Motors and Kam-Avida as the appropriate supplier of machinery and equipment respectively. It negotiated with them for a better price and added maintenance support. Kam-Avida has adopted the latest technology and built the jetting machine as per the specifications mentioned by the HMWSSB which can remove the blockages efficiently and can easily maneuver in narrow by-lanes of the city.

T-PRIDE Makes SC/STs Pride
T-Pride - a sure supplement for strengthening SC/ST Entrepreneurship
T-PRIDE—Telangana State Program for Rapid Incubation of Dalit Entrepreneurs incentive scheme; an initiative of Government of Telangana to develop SC/ST entrepreneurship was the great opportunity for the DICCI to promote SC/ST entrepreneurship. Under T-Pride Scheme, SC/ST entrepreneur gets investment subsidy of 35% and 45% of the overall project cost for male and female respectively. To be precise, the investment subsidy in relation to this project is Rs. 11,70,000/- for female and Rs. 9,10,000/-for male entrepreneur. Besides this, the entrepreneur is also entitled to get interest subsidy of 9%. This support system introduced by Government of Telangana under T-Pride has made the enterprises to sustain in the business and also capacitated them to compete with other general contractors. This is a very clear cut opportunity for SC/ST communities to become successful business persons.

It is evident from the above if the Government can remove or relax entry barriers for SC/ST communities the socio-economic transformation is not far from reach.

Mini Air Tech Machine (Jetting Machine)
The vehicle mounted jetting unit is capable of jetting civil and industrial sewer lines. It works on the principle of hydrodynamic cleaning, using water at high pressure, and detaches as well as flushes dense waste/sludge like mud, slurry. From sewer lines/storm water drains through a suitably dimensioned sewer jetting hose and special cleaning nozzles.

The tank capacity is suitable for MCV truck chassis. Trucks engine power is utilized to drive the jetting pump through a pneumatically actuated full torque PTO fitted between the vehicles Gear Box and the Rear Axle.

Independently driven hydraulic pump:- This system of drive has a distinct advantage over the conventional system of driving the hydraulic pump in tandem with the jetting pump as it eliminates the risk of water starvation for the jetting when the tank has to be tipped /hose reel has to be attended to with the water storage tank empty.

Sewer jetting hose is made of lightweight, abrasive resistant, thermoplastic material for better handling during jetting operations.

Ensuring Dignity and Safety of the Staff
In the traditional way of cleaning sewer lines (manual scavenging) and due to lack of proper working conditions and monitoring, there were occurrences of untoward incidents causing damage to the organization and sometimes loss of human lives leaving his family in doldrums because of lack of job / financial security of scavenging labour. HMWSSB by the mechanization of scavenging activity has addressed these problems to a great extent. However, the SC/ST entrepreneurs to bring more dignity and job security to the scavenging labour have taken few more measures and are providing bacteria free uniform, safety gadgets like shoes, gum boots, ESI, Provident Fund facility, etc. to the scavenging staff.