- Manual scavenging, as defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO), involves tasks such as disposing of human excreta from dry latrines, cleaning public streets, and maintaining and sweeping septic tanks, sewers, and gutters.
- While the practice exists in other parts of the world, it is most prevalent in India, particularly among people from lower castes, with over 90% belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC). Manual scavenging is often viewed as a stark reminder of untouchability.
- In India, approximately 58,098 individuals were engaged in manual scavenging as of 2018. Tragically, 941 people have lost their lives since 1993 due to accidents while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
Reasons for the Persistence of Manual Scavenging:
- Indifferent Attitude:
- Numerous independent surveys underscore the continued reluctance of state governments to acknowledge the persistence of manual scavenging within their jurisdictions.
- Issues due to Outsourcing:
- The outsourcing of sewer cleaning tasks to private contractors by local bodies often leads to challenges. Many of these contractors, considered fly-by-night operators, fail to maintain accurate records of sanitation workers. In tragic cases of worker fatalities, these contractors disassociate themselves from the deceased.
- Social Issues:
- The practice remains deeply rooted in caste, class, and income disparities.
- Tied to India’s caste system, individuals from so-called lower castes are traditionally assigned to perform manual scavenging tasks.
- Despite the ban on employing people as manual scavengers in 1993 (The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993), the associated stigma and discrimination persist, hindering the ability of liberated manual scavengers to secure alternative livelihoods.
Attempts to Abolish Manual Scavenging in India:
- The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993:
- This initial legislation primarily addressed dry latrines, and the definition of manual scavenging was limited to individuals employed for manually carrying human excreta.
- The Act lacked a focus on the rehabilitation of workers, and the lenient penal provisions failed to create effective deterrence in society.
- The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (PEMSR) Act, 2013:
- Replacing the 1993 Act, the PMSR Act emphasizes the human dignity, rights, and rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
- Unlike its predecessor, the legislation shifts the focus from mere cleanliness to the broader well-being and social integration of manual scavengers.
- Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India (2014):
- In this landmark case, the Supreme Court underscored the significance of rehabilitation as a crucial measure to prevent both current and future generations from engaging in manual scavenging.
- Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS): The SRMS, revamped in 2013, introduced key enhancements, including:
- One-time cash assistance of Rs. 40,000 for each identified manual scavenger in a family.
- Capital subsidy of up to Rs. 3.25 lakh for self-employment projects, extending to identified manual scavengers and their dependents, with project costs capped at Rs. 10.00 lakh.
- Skill development training lasting up to two years for identified manual scavengers and their dependents, offering a stipend of Rs. 3,000 per month during the training period.
- NAMASTE Scheme (National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem):
- Launched in 2022-23, the NAMASTE scheme aims for 100% mechanization of sewer work by 2025-26.
- Notably, the SRMS has been integrated into the NAMASTE scheme.
- Swachata Mobile App Launch (2016):
- Introduced to facilitate reporting and complaints related to potential instances of ongoing manual scavenging.
Concerns Regarding the Implementation of Above Measures:
- Non-Compliance with Safety Measures:
- Despite mandated safety measures and standard operating procedures (SOP), fatal accidents in sewers and septic tanks persist.
- Over the last five years, 330 individuals lost their lives while engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks.
- Lack of Financial Assistance:
- Inadequate financial allocation, such as the meager ₹100 crore allocation in the Union Budget 2023-24 for the NAMASTE scheme, raises concerns about the scheme’s effectiveness.
- Low Conviction Rate:
- Cases under the Prohibition of Manual Scavenging Act or the SC/ST Act exhibit a low conviction rate, indicating challenges in legal recourse and justice for affected individuals.
FAQs
Q: What is manual scavenging?
Manual scavenging refers to the practice of manually cleaning, carrying, disposing of, or handling human excreta from dry latrines and sewers. It often involves individuals, predominantly from marginalized communities, using basic tools like buckets, brooms, and baskets to clean human waste, often in hazardous conditions.
Q: Why does manual scavenging still exist?
Manual scavenging persists due to various social, economic, and structural factors. Discrimination based on caste and lack of alternative livelihood opportunities force many individuals from marginalized communities into this degrading and hazardous occupation. Additionally, inadequate sanitation infrastructure in many regions perpetuates the need for manual cleaning of sewers and latrines.
Q: What are the dangers associated with manual scavenging?
Manual scavenging exposes individuals to numerous health risks, including exposure to harmful pathogens and gases, leading to respiratory diseases, skin infections, and even death due to asphyxiation or drowning in sewage. Furthermore, the practice reinforces social stigma and perpetuates caste-based discrimination, affecting the mental and emotional well-being of those involved.
Q: What measures are being taken to eradicate manual scavenging?
Governments, NGOs, and activists are working towards eradicating manual scavenging through various measures. These include implementing legislation banning the practice, providing alternative livelihoods and skill development programs for affected communities, promoting mechanized cleaning technologies, and raising awareness about the hazards of manual scavenging.
Q: What can individuals do to help eliminate manual scavenging?
Individuals can contribute to ending manual scavenging by supporting organizations and initiatives working towards its eradication, advocating for better sanitation infrastructure and policies, raising awareness about the rights and dignity of sanitation workers, and challenging caste-based discrimination and social stigma associated with manual scavenging. Additionally, promoting the use of sanitary facilities that do not require manual cleaning can help reduce the demand for manual scavengers.
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