DHARMAPURI: Under the Union Government's Scavengers Rehabilitation Scheme, cleaning material is being sold by scavengers at sanitary marts in the district. The scheme, introduced by the Central Government, is being started in Dharmapuri district with the help of Tamil Nadu Adi-Dravidar Housing Board and THADCO. Sanitary marts are being started in Kumarasamy Pettai, Savulupatti, Aathumedu, Anna Nagar and Municipal colony in Dharmapuri with the help of five self-help groups. Each sanitary mart is being run by a team of 20 members of a sacavenger's family.

Cleaning material like phenoil, soap oil and detergent cakes are being produced and sold by them. Phenoil, soap oil and cleaning oil are being sold at a rate of Rs 20, 24 and 50 respectively.

A sum of Rs 4 lakh is being distributed as assistance with a subsidy of Rs 2 lakh from National Scavengers and Development Corporation to a team for starting a sanitary mart.