Manual Scavenging Claims 332 Lives in 5 Years

Manual scavenging, the practice of removing human excrement from sewers and septic tanks, has claimed 332 lives in the past five years, despite being banned by law. The Supreme Court has taken notice of this issue and is pushing for state governments to be held accountable under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

The court's move comes after reports of worker deaths in several states, including Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. These states have been criticized for their poor implementation of the ban on manual scavenging. The Supreme Court has ordered show-cause notices to be issued to the Chief Secretaries of the five worst-performing states for contempt.

The governments of these states have been blamed for not taking adequate measures to prevent the practice of manual scavenging. They have been accused of being indifferent to the court-ordered mandate to pay enhanced compensation of Rs 30 lakh to the families of each deceased worker. The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court recently ordered the payment of compensation by the state for two sanitation workers who died in a septic tank.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a national campaign to improve sanitation, has not been successful in ending the practice of manual scavenging. The campaign was started to overcome the national shame of open defecation and inadequate sanitation in India. However, without sufficient political commitment, the campaign has not been able to achieve its goals.

The formation of a fully equipped mechanized sanitation agency has been proposed as a solution to the problem. Such an agency could offer cleaning services even in small towns and cities, reducing the need for manual scavenging. The government has been criticized for not taking adequate measures to prevent the practice of manual scavenging, and for not providing sufficient compensation to the families of deceased workers.

The issue of manual scavenging is a serious one, and it requires immediate attention from the government. The Supreme Court's push for accountability is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that the practice of manual scavenging is ended once and for all. The use of technological solutions, such as vacuum vehicles, could help to reduce the need for manual scavenging and prevent worker deaths.

In conclusion, the practice of manual scavenging is a serious issue that requires immediate attention from the government. The Supreme Court's push for accountability is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that the practice of manual scavenging is ended once and for all. The government owes an explanation to activist groups and the families of deceased workers, and must take concrete steps to prevent further deaths.

The issue of manual scavenging is not just a matter of sanitation, but also a matter of social justice. The practice of manual scavenging is often associated with the Dalit community, and it is a reminder of the social and economic inequalities that exist in India. The government must take steps to address these inequalities and ensure that all citizens have access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.

Overall, the issue of manual scavenging is a complex one that requires a comprehensive solution. The government must take concrete steps to prevent the practice of manual scavenging, and to provide sufficient compensation to the families of deceased workers. The use of technological solutions and the formation of a fully equipped mechanized sanitation agency could help to reduce the need for manual scavenging and prevent worker deaths.

The Supreme Court's continuing mandamus could end manual cleaning, ensure compensation, and upgrade the operation using technological solutions. This would be a significant step towards ending the dark saga of workers dying in sewers and septic tanks.

In the end, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the practice of manual scavenging is ended once and for all. The government must take concrete steps to address the issue, and to provide sufficient compensation to the families of deceased workers. The use of technological solutions and the formation of a fully equipped mechanized sanitation agency could help to reduce the need for manual scavenging and prevent worker deaths.

The issue of manual scavenging is a serious one, and it requires immediate attention from the government. The Supreme Court's push for accountability is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that the practice of manual scavenging is ended once and for all.