Delhi High Court Issues Notice On PIL Against Exclusion Of Sewer And Septic Tank Cleaners From Manual Scavenging Prohibition Law
1 year, 1 month ago

Delhi High Court Issues Notice On PIL Against Exclusion Of Sewer And Septic Tank Cleaners From Manual Scavenging Prohibition Law

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a public interest litigation challenging the exclusion of sewer and septic tank cleaners doing hazardous cleaning from the purview of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and the Rules framed therein. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora sought response of the Union Government through Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Delhi Government within eight weeks. “It is violative of Article 14 because it is not only manifestly arbitrary but also against the principles of reasonable classification, as it excludes from its purview the “Sewer cleaner and Septic tank cleaner doing hazardous cleaning” as they also clean, carry, dispose of and handle human excreta from more dangerous places and deprive them of the benefit of identification and rehabilitation provided under Section 11 to Section 16 of the MS Act, 2013 and MS Rules, 2013 and other beneficial schemes brought by Government time to time,” the plea states. “The most vexatious fact is the “Cosmetic Effect” created by the Explanation of Section 2 which not only fail to eradicate the dehumanizing practice of manual scavenging and do justice with them but also makes this practice to be legitimate in the eyes of law by creating an artificial classification between the manual scavengers on the basis of protective gears and therefore, all the benefits such as that of rehabilitation, scholarships etc.

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History of this topic

Deaths inside manholes: NGOs call for stricter adherence to ban, scrutiny on contractors
Trending News
1 week, 2 days ago

Deaths inside manholes: NGOs call for stricter adherence to ban, scrutiny on contractors

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi, Despite a nationwide ban on manual scavenging, workers continue to be hired for cleaning sewers, often at great risk to their lives, NGOs working for such workers' rehabilitation said. Deaths inside manholes: NGOs call for stricter adherence to ban, scrutiny on contractors In a tragic incident on Sunday, a 43-year-old worker died, and two others were injured, while …

Deaths Due To Manual Scavenging Expose Claims : Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From Delhi, Kolkata & Hyderabad Authorities
1 month ago

Deaths Due To Manual Scavenging Expose Claims : Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From Delhi, Kolkata & Hyderabad Authorities

Live Law  

The Supreme Court recently expressed dissatisfaction over the affidavits filed by authorities in Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad for failing to explain how and when manual scavenging and manual sewer cleaning would be stopped in their cities. Particularly, the Court has noted that Delhi Jal Board, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water & Sewerage Board have not given any explanation …

SC summons civic bodies of 4 cities on sewer deaths
1 month, 1 week ago

SC summons civic bodies of 4 cities on sewer deaths

Hindustan Times  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the municipal corporation heads of Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru to appear before the court and explain why deaths due to manual scavenging continue to occur despite a ban on the practice. The court was monitoring the implementation of its October 2023 judgment requiring all states and union territories to take immediate steps for …

294 died in sewer related deaths in 2020-24; compensation paid in 249 cases: Govt
1 month, 3 weeks ago

294 died in sewer related deaths in 2020-24; compensation paid in 249 cases: Govt

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: Of the 294 confirmed sewer related deaths across the country between 2020 and 2024, compensation has been paid in 249 cases, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The Supreme Court has asked corporations in six cities to file an affidavit by February 13 indicating “how and when manual scavenging/sewer cleaning has been stopped” Citing data received …

Supreme Court bans manual scavenging, sewer cleaning in Delhi, Mumbai, 4 other metros
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Supreme Court bans manual scavenging, sewer cleaning in Delhi, Mumbai, 4 other metros

Live Mint  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, January 29, issued directives prohibiting manual scavenging and manual sewer cleaning in six metropolitan cities, including Mumbai and Delhi. In its ruling, the Supreme Court said, "We hereby order manual sewer cleaning and manual scavenging shall be stopped in all top metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.” The order was given …

SC calls for immediate end to manual scavenging in metro cities
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

SC calls for immediate end to manual scavenging in metro cities

Hindustan Times  

Manual scavenging in major metropolitan cities must immediately stop, the Supreme Court directed on Wednesday, drawing the line for municipal commissioners and chief executive officers of six major cosmopolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, to comply with this order upfront and report compliance in two weeks. Picking up the metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the …

Supreme Court orders to end manual scavenging in 6 metro cities
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Supreme Court orders to end manual scavenging in 6 metro cities

India Today  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a complete ban on manual scavenging and sewer cleaning in six major metropolitan cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. In December 2023, the court instructed the Centre to coordinate with states and gather feedback on efforts to eliminate manual scavenging and sewer cleaning. A recent affidavit from the Union government revealed …

SC orders a stop on manual scavenging in six metros
1 month, 3 weeks ago

SC orders a stop on manual scavenging in six metros

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a complete stop to the practice of manual scavenging and hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in top metros across the country. “We hereby order manual sewer cleaning and manual scavenging shall be stopped in all top metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad,” a Special Bench of Justices …

Supreme Court Bans Manual Scavenging & Manual Sewer Cleaning In Six Metropolitan Cities
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Supreme Court Bans Manual Scavenging & Manual Sewer Cleaning In Six Metropolitan Cities

Live Law  

The Supreme Court today passed directions banning manual scavenging and manual sewer cleaning in six metropolitan cities in a writ petition seeking the eradication of manual scavenging in India.In its order, it stated that in the comprehensive affidavit filed by the Union, there is "no clarity" on the eradication of manual scavenging and sewer cleaning. The Supreme Court today passed …

453 died while cleaning sewers since 2014, says Centre
7 months, 3 weeks ago

453 died while cleaning sewers since 2014, says Centre

Hindustan Times  

The Union Social Justice and Empowerment ministry on Tuesday said around 453 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks since 2014 despite 732 out of India's 766 districts declaring themselves free from manual scavenging. Union Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said states have made significant strives in improving their mechanisation capabilities by …

SC orders govt to pay ₹30 lakh to families of those who die cleaning sewer
1 year, 5 months ago

SC orders govt to pay ₹30 lakh to families of those who die cleaning sewer

Hindustan Times  

The Supreme Court of India on Friday said that government authorities will have to pay ₹30 lakh as compensation to the kin of those who die while cleaning sewers, PTI reported. A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar also said that those who suffer permanent disabilities while cleaning sewers will be paid a minimum compensation of ₹20 …

Manual Scavenging: Madhya Pradesh High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance After Recent Death Of 2 Contract Workers Inside Sewer Hole
1 year, 9 months ago

Manual Scavenging: Madhya Pradesh High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance After Recent Death Of 2 Contract Workers Inside Sewer Hole

Live Law  

Observing that it is unfortunate that the persons employed to do the work in a sewer hole lost their lives, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the continuing manual scavenging in the state after the recent death of two workers in Gwalior. While issuing notice to the State, the bench of Chief Justice Ravi Malimath …

Despite ban, Gujarat continues to witness deaths of manual scavengers
1 year, 10 months ago

Despite ban, Gujarat continues to witness deaths of manual scavengers

The Hindu  

From March 22 to April 26, 2023, as many as eight people have died while cleaning sewers in various parts of the Gujarat, raising concerns about the continuing deaths of manual scavengers despite the fact that the practice has been declared illegal across the country. Watch | Manual scavenging: India’s continuing shame In Gujarat, as per the figures shared by …

1,035 people died due to hazardous sewer cleaning since 1993, compensation given to kin of 948: Govt. in Lok Sabha
2 years ago

1,035 people died due to hazardous sewer cleaning since 1993, compensation given to kin of 948: Govt. in Lok Sabha

The Hindu  

A total of 1,035 people have died while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks across India since 1993, the Social Justice Ministry informed Lok Sabha on March 14, adding that of these, compensation had been given out to the families of 948. In this year’s Union Budget, the Finance Minister had stressed on the government’s focus to switch …

Guidelines on manual scavenging violated more than being followed: Allahabad HC
2 years, 6 months ago

Guidelines on manual scavenging violated more than being followed: Allahabad HC

The Hindu  

Coming down heavily on civic authorities in Uttar Pradesh while hearing a suo motu PIL regarding manual scavenging, the Allahabad High Court observed, “The guidelines are being violated more than being followed.” The court had taken suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report published on May 24, which said the city's drains were being cleaned by sanitation workers - deployed …

Murder in the sewer: on deaths during manual cleaning of sewage
2 years, 7 months ago

Murder in the sewer: on deaths during manual cleaning of sewage

The Hindu  

All human lives are precious, but, in practice, some are seen as less precious than others. But, more importantly, it specifies a long list of protective devices and gear that any person engaged to clean a sewer or a septic tank must be provided, including air line breathing apparatus, air line respirator, air purifier gas mask, a device for artificial …

347 people died while cleaning sewers, septic tanks in last 5 years: Centre
2 years, 8 months ago

347 people died while cleaning sewers, septic tanks in last 5 years: Centre

The Hindu  

As many as 347 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in India in the last five years, with Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi accounting for 40% of these fatalities, according to government data. According to the data presented in Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishore, 47 workers died while …

Manual Scavenging | "Tragic Accidents In Sewers & Septic Tanks Have Come Down Significantly Due To Govt Initiatives": Centre To Delhi High Court
2 years, 8 months ago

Manual Scavenging | "Tragic Accidents In Sewers & Septic Tanks Have Come Down Significantly Due To Govt Initiatives": Centre To Delhi High Court

Live Law  

The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court that due to various initiatives brought in by the Government, the number of tragic accidents while cleaning sewers and septic tanks have come down significantly. The short affidavit has been filed by the Central Government through its Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in a PIL filed in 2019 by Advocate Amit …

161 die cleaning sewers in three years: How is this different from manual scavenging?
2 years, 11 months ago

161 die cleaning sewers in three years: How is this different from manual scavenging?

Firstpost  

The government on Wednesday said that there were no deaths recorded due to manual scavenging in India. However, a total of 161 people died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in the last three years The government on Wednesday said that there were no deaths recorded due to manual scavenging in India. As per the Act, the term manual scavenger …

971 people died while cleaning sewers since 1993
2 years, 11 months ago

971 people died while cleaning sewers since 1993

The Hindu  

A total of 971 people lost their lives while cleaning sewers or septic tanks since 1993, the year law prohibiting employment of manual scavengers was enacted, according to the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry on Wednesday. Replying to a question by BJP’s Syed Zafar Islam in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister of State Ramdas Athawale’s written response …

Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response In Plea Seeking Strict Compliance Of Manual Scavenging Law
3 years, 7 months ago

Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response In Plea Seeking Strict Compliance Of Manual Scavenging Law

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Centre in a PIL seeking strict compliance of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 in order to prevent loss of lives due to manual cleaning of septic tanks and sewers. A division bench comprising of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh allowed the application …

No manual scavenging deaths, 941 died while cleaning sewers: Govt
3 years, 7 months ago

No manual scavenging deaths, 941 died while cleaning sewers: Govt

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: No one succumbed to manual scavenging in India but 941 workers died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in the last three decades, the government told Parliament on Wednesday, triggering condemnation from activists. However, we have reports regarding deaths of workers while being engaged in cleaning of sewers or septic tanks,” he said, listing out 941 deaths since …

Plea in HC to make Centre party to petition for compliance of law on manual scavenging
3 years, 7 months ago

Plea in HC to make Centre party to petition for compliance of law on manual scavenging

India TV News  

A plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking to implead the Centre as a party to a petition for ensuring strict compliance of the 2013 law on manual scavengers to prevent loss of lives due to manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. Athawale made the statement in a written response to a question asked in the …

Govt. to introduce bill to make law banning manual scavenging more stringent
4 years, 6 months ago

Govt. to introduce bill to make law banning manual scavenging more stringent

The Hindu  

The government plans to make the law banning manual scavenging more stringent by introducing a bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which is scheduled to begin from Monday. The Bill proposes to make the law banning manual scavenging more stringent by increasing the imprisonment term and the fine amount, the officials said. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers …

Comply with SC orders on sewerage charges: NGT to Delhi govt.
4 years, 8 months ago

Comply with SC orders on sewerage charges: NGT to Delhi govt.

The Hindu  

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to comply with Supreme Court directions to levy sewerage charges on households in the Capital for discharge of untreated effluents into the Yamuna. Noting that a major cause of pollution is the discharge of sewage, industrial effluents and other pollutants into the river, a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh …

CM Kejriwal announces free sewage cleaning scheme in unauthorised colonies in Delhi
5 years, 4 months ago

CM Kejriwal announces free sewage cleaning scheme in unauthorised colonies in Delhi

India TV News  

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced a scheme in which people in unauthorised colonies can get their septic tanks cleaned for free. Many times people die while cleaning these septic tanks and this is a big step in making Delhi clean and putting an end to sewer deaths, he said. The Delhi government will get the septic tanks …

64 people died in Delhi while cleaning sewers since 1993: NCSK
5 years, 6 months ago

64 people died in Delhi while cleaning sewers since 1993: NCSK

India TV News  

The National Commission of Safai Karamcharis on Tuesday said 64 people have died while cleaning sewers in Delhi since 1993 with 38 such deaths taking place in the last two years. NCSK chairman Manhar Valjibhai Zala claimed that the Delhi government has not been implementing the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 in the national …

Arvind Kejriwal promises free safety kit to workers cleaning Delhi sewers
5 years, 8 months ago

Arvind Kejriwal promises free safety kit to workers cleaning Delhi sewers

India TV News  

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Monday his government will provide safety kit for free to every worker engaged in the cleaning of sewers in the national capital. At a workshop organised by the Delhi Jal Board at Talkatora Stadium, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he feels dejected when he hears about sanitation workers dying while cleaning sewers. "We …

'If People Are Dying, Someone Has To Go To Jail', Delhi HC Says While Hearing PIL On Manual Scavengers
5 years, 8 months ago

'If People Are Dying, Someone Has To Go To Jail', Delhi HC Says While Hearing PIL On Manual Scavengers

Live Law  

Delhi High Court has ordered 10 local bodies including Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi Municipal Corporation and Municipal Corporation of Delhi to file affidavits stating whether or not they are employing manual scavengers, directly or indirectly. Basements of many hotels have these septic tanks which are cleaned by hiring manual scavengers As the hearing progressed, it was also brought before …

Delhi High Court seeks answers on manual scavenging
5 years, 8 months ago

Delhi High Court seeks answers on manual scavenging

Hindustan Times  

The Delhi High Court on Friday took serious note of the recent deaths in the city due to manual scavenging and directed all the concerned authorities including the Delhi government, Public Works Department, three civic bodies to file affidavits detailing whether they are hiring people, directly or indirectly through contractors to clean the sewers or not. The court observed that …

Delhi HC Asks Petitioner To Give CDs Of Manual Scavenging To Delhi Govt
5 years, 11 months ago

Delhi HC Asks Petitioner To Give CDs Of Manual Scavenging To Delhi Govt

Live Law  

Moved by a video posted by a legislator on Facebook showing men working as manual scavengers in Delhi despite the government's claimed ban on the practice, an advocate has moved the Delhi High Court seeking a strict ban on manual scavenging which had been declared illegal in the year 1993.Advocate Amit Sahni moved the high court after coming across a …

Plea against manual scavenging in Delhi
5 years, 11 months ago

Plea against manual scavenging in Delhi

Hindustan Times  

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said it would hear a plea seeking strict compliance of provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 on April 26 after the Delhi government has taken instructions on a video on manual scavenging. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A J Bhambhani passed the …

Delhi mechanises sewer cleaning, goes beyond political posturing to turn manual scavengers into entrepreneurs
6 years ago

Delhi mechanises sewer cleaning, goes beyond political posturing to turn manual scavengers into entrepreneurs

Firstpost  

Last week, the Delhi government launched 200 sewer cleaning trucks and gave the contracts to families of manual scavengers in a bid to do away with the hazardous occupation. Last week, the day the Delhi Budget was announced in the Assembly, the Aam Aadmi Party government launched 200 sewer cleaning trucks — each of which cost nearly Rs 35 lakh …

Arvind Kejriwal flags off fleet of 200 sewer cleaning machines in Delhi, says ‘historic’ move will end need for manual scavenging
6 years ago

Arvind Kejriwal flags off fleet of 200 sewer cleaning machines in Delhi, says ‘historic’ move will end need for manual scavenging

Firstpost  

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged off a fleet of 200 sewer cleaning machines on Thursday. The machines have been provided to skilled manual scavengers making them ‘sani-entrepreneurs’, officials said. New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged off a fleet of 200 sewer cleaning machines on Thursday. He said the Delhi Jal Board and its officers had developed the …

Sanitation deaths continue in Delhi
6 years, 2 months ago

Sanitation deaths continue in Delhi

The Hindu  

A 37-year-old sanitation worker, hired by a private contractor, Krishan, lost his life on January 20 after he entered a drain in North Delhi’s Wazirabad area, attempting to unclog it with his bare hands, and without any safety gear. While the Delhi police registered a case against the contractor and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal promised the deceased worker’s family ₹10 …

Why India’s sanitation workers are nobody’s priority
6 years, 6 months ago

Why India’s sanitation workers are nobody’s priority

Hindustan Times  

Over the past seven days, six people lost their lives in the national capital region while cleaning sewers after inhaling toxic gases, says the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, a statutory body set up by an Act of Parliament for the welfare of sanitation workers. The Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines Act, 1993, was amended in …

Manual scavengers to be given loans to buy sewer cleaning machines: Delhi govt
6 years, 9 months ago

Manual scavengers to be given loans to buy sewer cleaning machines: Delhi govt

India TV News  

In a bid to stop frequents deaths of scavengers and 'safai karmcharis' during manual cleaning of sewers by them, the Delhi government has decided to provide them loans to purchase sewer cleaning machines. Delhi government's SC/ST Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam took the decision today while reviewing a proposal to rehabilitate 200 manual scavengers by procuring specially designed sewer machines, said …

Delhi HC Upholds Jal Board's Preference To Manual Scavengers And Their Families In Tender For Mechanized Sever Cleaning [Read Judgment]
6 years, 9 months ago

Delhi HC Upholds Jal Board's Preference To Manual Scavengers And Their Families In Tender For Mechanized Sever Cleaning [Read Judgment]

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld the Delhi Jal Board's "system of preferences" prescribed in its tender calling for bids for mechanized sewer cleaning and its transportation. The tender had stated that in awarding of bids, the Board would give preference to dependents of those who were performing manual scavenging duties or tasks, those who are performing such duties …

Delhi sewer deaths: PWD lists safety measures for manual cleaning of drains
7 years, 7 months ago

Delhi sewer deaths: PWD lists safety measures for manual cleaning of drains

Hindustan Times  

Following the death of 10 sanitation workers in the city sewers, the Delhi government has finally listed safety measures to be taken up wherever mechanical cleaning is not possible. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meets the family of the sanitation worker who died at Lok Nayak hospital while cleaning a sewer. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had ordered full mechanisation of …

Delhi sewer deaths: Kejriwal announces Rs 10 lakh, job for kin of victims
7 years, 7 months ago

Delhi sewer deaths: Kejriwal announces Rs 10 lakh, job for kin of victims

Hindustan Times  

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the three men who died on Sunday while trying to clean a drain in south Delhi. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the families of the victims along with water minister Rajendra Gautam. Kejriwal, who visited the families of the victims along with water minister Rajendra Gautam, …

Plea to implement law against manual scavenging
9 years, 11 months ago

Plea to implement law against manual scavenging

The Hindu  

The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Central and State governments and other agencies concerned to file an affidavit by four weeks to a writ petition seeking the implementation of all the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act in Tamil Nadu. The new law banned the employment of persons for manual scavenging, …

Clean-up order
16 years, 2 months ago

Clean-up order

The Hindu  

HUNDREDS of contract workers engaged by local bodies and water supply and sewerage boards in major cities and towns to clean underground sewers virtually walk into death traps. The court also directed the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board and the Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department to initiate steps to prevent the entry of solid waste …

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