Tamil Nadu launches Etram, a micro-loan scheme with a 20% subsidy of up to ₹10,000 to help sanitation workers’ family members start small businesses. ₹3.05 crore released for 3,051 beneficiaries.
Tamil Nadu launches Etram, a micro-loan scheme with a 20% subsidy of up to ₹10,000 to help sanitation workers’ family members start small businesses. ₹3.05 crore released for 3,051 beneficiaries.
The Tamil Nadu government has launched “Etram” (ஏற்றம் — “uplift”), a livelihood scheme that helps the family members of sanitation workers become entrepreneurs. Under the scheme, a family member who takes a micro-loan to start a small business or an alternative trade gets a 20% subsidy on the loan, up to ₹10,000.
The Social Justice Minister had announced in the Assembly that an Etram livelihood scheme would be implemented to turn sanitation workers’ families into entrepreneurs. A government order (G.O. Ms. No. 93, Social Justice Department, dated 26 October 2026) has now released ₹3,05,10,000 as subsidy so that loans can be given to the first 3,051 beneficiaries.
| Detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Family members of sanitation workers, aged 18 to 60 |
| Income limit | Annual family income below ₹3,00,000 |
| Benefit | 20% subsidy on a micro-loan, up to ₹10,000 |
| Purpose | A small income-generating business or an alternative trade |
| How | Individually or as a group of sanitation workers’ family members |
The Tamil Nadu Sanitation Workers’ Welfare Board already supports thousands of workers and their families with education, marriage and funeral assistance and pensions, along with jobs, social, educational, self-employment and rehabilitation schemes. Etram adds a direct path to self-employment, so that the next generation of sanitation workers’ families can build their own income.
Families who want to apply can contact the Sanitation Workers’ Welfare Board or the Adi Dravidar Welfare office in their district.