Survey on Manual Scavenging
According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recently, no person has died due to manual scavenging.
- According to the ministry, two separate surveys were conducted in the year 2013 and the year 2018. No death has been reported due to manual scavenging.
- However, since 1993, 941 workers engaged in cleaning sewers or septic tanks have died. Tamil Nadu has recorded the highest number of deaths while cleaning sewers or septic tanks. It is followed by Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
- The government differentiates between manual scavenging (a caste-based practice of manual scavenging of human excreta) and sewer and septic tank cleaning.
Measures taken to end the manual scavenging
- For the first time a ban on caste-based practice was imposed through the enactment of Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.
- In the year 2013, a landmark new law was passed in the form of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act (PEMSR), 2013). Its scope is wide, and provisions have been made related to the rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
- Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) was launched in the year 2007 for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers. It has been extended from time to time till the year 2020-21.
- Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan is a national campaign focused on eradication of manual scavenging and rehabilitation of these workers.
Source – The Hindu
