New Delhi. The government’s deadline to declare India free from the practice of manual scavenging is nearing, but 246 districts of the country have not yet announced the end of this inhuman practice in their area. The officers provided this information. The matter was discussed in the eighth meeting of the Central Monitoring Committee chaired by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar. As per the data shared in the meeting, 520 districts out of total 766 have declared the practice of manual scavenging to end in their jurisdiction, but 246 districts are yet to submit the report.
A senior official of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said, “I request the concerned states to submit a report to us as we are committed to our vision of declaring India free from the practice of manual scavenging by August 2023.” He said that the states will have to either declare all their districts free from manual scavenging or associate existing insanitary latrines and manual scavengers, if any, with them, so as to enhance the expected rehabilitation benefits for manual scavengers. Can be done and under the Swachh Bharat Mission, unhygienic toilets can be converted into clean toilets.
Out of 766 districts, 520 have been declared free from manual scavenging.
The ministry said that states/district magistrates and district magistrates have been reminded 20 times so far to submit reports. The ministry said in a statement, “All states/districts have been requested to declare their district free from manual scavenging. To date, 520 of the country’s 766 districts have ratified it. The committee has been asked to seek information from the remaining districts. In Madhya Pradesh, 35 out of 52 districts have not submitted reports, while in Maharashtra, 21 out of 36 districts have not yet declared themselves free from manual scavenging.
1056 people died after entering sewer, 931 got compensation
The data also states that 14 States/UTs do not have a State Commission for Safai Karamcharis. Scavenging is banned in the country under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The constitution of State Safai Karamcharis Commission, State Monitoring Committees and District Vigilance Committees is necessary under the Act. The official said, “We have received reports from various states that till date, many of these committees have not been set up there. I request these states to look into the matter and see whether these committees exist or not.” The official also informed that 1,056 people have died after entering sewers in the country and 931 people have been given compensation of Rs 10 lakh, while 42 people have not received any help so far.
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Tags: India, Manual scavenging
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 05, 2023, 22:11 IST
