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 means “a person engaged or employed, at the commencement of this Act or at any time thereafter, by an individual or a local authority or an agency or a contractor, for manually cleaning, carrying, disposing of, or otherwise handling in any manner, human excreta in an insanitary latrine or in an open drain or pit into which the human excreta from the insanitary latrines is disposed of, or on a railway track or in such other spaces or premises, as the Central Government or a State Government may notify, before the excreta fully decomposes in such manner as may be prescribed, and the expression ‘manual scavenging’ shall be construed accordingly”. According to a study conducted by WaterAid India, “One manual scavenger dies every five days in India since January 2017.” Why is cleaning sewers not recognised at manual scavenging? Pragya Akhilesh, secretary of Bhim Safai Karmachari Trade Union, said that denying the existence of the manual scavenging problem gives a free pass to contractors and administrations to continue exploiting manual scavengers.

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History of this topic

Manual scavenger’s death: probing role of DJB, others, says Delhi Police
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Manual scavenger’s death: probing role of DJB, others, says Delhi Police

The Hindu  

The police on Tuesday said they are investigating the death of a worker while cleaning a sewer manually in New Friends Colony in south-east Delhi. Three persons – Panth Lal Chandra, 43, Ramkishan Chandra, 35, and Shiv Das, 25 – entered a manhole on the premises of Friends Club in New Friends Colony on Sunday evening and fell unconscious. A …

Deaths inside manholes: NGOs call for stricter adherence to ban, scrutiny on contractors
Trending News
1 week, 5 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 …

3 die inside Kolkata drainage line days after SC banned manual scavenging
1 month, 4 weeks ago

3 die inside Kolkata drainage line days after SC banned manual scavenging

Hindustan Times  

Kolkata: Three wage labourers died inside an underground drainage line at the Kolkata Leather Complex on Sunday morning. It comes four days after the Supreme Court banned manual scavenging and manual sewer cleaning in the metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. On January 29, a Supreme Court bench of justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar issued …

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

Keep sewers as pristine as your arteries, says Madras High Court
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Keep sewers as pristine as your arteries, says Madras High Court

The Hindu  

Observing that manual scavenging deaths might not occur if people maintained sewers and drains “as pristine as their arteries” without letting them choke due to garbage, the Madras High Court said that society, as a whole, must apologise to every human being forced to enter sewer lines. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy made these observations while directing the Chennai Metropolitan Water …

92% of workers cleaning urban sewers, septic tanks are from SC, ST, OBC groups
6 months ago

92% of workers cleaning urban sewers, septic tanks are from SC, ST, OBC groups

The Hindu  

In a first-of-its-kind attempt to enumerate people engaged in the hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in India’s cities and towns, government data gathered from over 3,000 urban local bodies in 29 States and Union Territories shows that 91.9% of the 38,000 workers profiled so far belong to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or other backward class communities. Between 2019 …

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 …

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 …

443 died cleaning sewers, tanks in over 5 years: Govt
1 year, 3 months ago

443 died cleaning sewers, tanks in over 5 years: Govt

Hindustan Times  

More than 400 people have died while cleaning septic tanks and sewers in the country since 2018, the ministry of social justice and empowerment said on Tuesday. In a written response to a question by Trinamool Congress member Aparupa Poddar, minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale told the Lok Sabha that 443 people died while cleaning …

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 …

'Completely Eradicate Manual Scavenging' : Supreme Court Directs Union & States; Increases Compensation For Sewer Deaths To Rs 30 Lakh
1 year, 5 months ago

'Completely Eradicate Manual Scavenging' : Supreme Court Directs Union & States; Increases Compensation For Sewer Deaths To Rs 30 Lakh

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a categorical direction to the Union Government and all State Governments to ensure the complete eradication of the practice of manual scavenging.Expressing grave anguish at the continuance of this abhorrent practice in India, the Supreme Court directed that the compensation in cases of sewer deaths must be increased to Rs.30 lakhs. The Supreme Court …

In 7 days, over 100 districts report themselves to be manual scavenging-free
1 year, 7 months ago

In 7 days, over 100 districts report themselves to be manual scavenging-free

The Hindu  

More than 100 districts across the country reported themselves to be free of manual scavenging in a period of seven days even as the Union government has said it is vigorously pursuing districts that have not yet done so to complete the procedure. Districts declaring themselves free of manual scavenging are doing so by determining the existence of insanitary latrines …

Problem of manual scavenging eliminated, claims Union Social Justice Ministry panel
1 year, 8 months ago

Problem of manual scavenging eliminated, claims Union Social Justice Ministry panel

The Hindu  

Despite noting that just 520 districts across the country had declared themselves free of manual scavenging, the Central Monitoring Committee of the Social Justice Ministry concluded in its eighth meeting on July 5, 2023 that all unsanitary latrines had been made sanitary under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and that the problem of manual scavenging is eliminated. A month ago, the …

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 …

Only 66% districts in country free of manual scavenging: Social Justice Ministry report
1 year, 9 months ago

Only 66% districts in country free of manual scavenging: Social Justice Ministry report

The Hindu  

Despite stating over the last few years that manual scavenging had been eliminated in the country, and that the only remaining threat was hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has now said that only 508 districts out of the total 766 districts in the country have declared themselves manual-scavenging free. The …

Despite ban, Gujarat continues to witness deaths of manual scavengers
1 year, 11 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 …

Poverty, caste-discrimination at the root of manual scavenging, reveals study
2 years, 2 months ago

Poverty, caste-discrimination at the root of manual scavenging, reveals study

The Hindu  

They know it is a inhuman and demeaning job rooted in caste-based discrimination and passed on to successive generations, but the sanitary workers continue to undertake manual scavenging as employers exploit them, and at times are cruel as well. These are some of the facts known from the interviews taken among the sanitary workers in the State for a study …

India’s Anti-Manual Scavenging Drive is Faltering, Needs Immediate Intervention
2 years, 4 months ago

India’s Anti-Manual Scavenging Drive is Faltering, Needs Immediate Intervention

News 18  

Social ostracism and lack of opportunities have forced generations of lower caste families to continue indulging in manual scavenging as their daily job. Not often discussed in mainstream media, however, is that over 95 percent of India’s 1.3 million manual scavengers are women. Most manual scavengers belong to the Dalit community, and it is fairly evident that manual scavenging is …

PMRDA drafts guidelines for mechanical scavenging of sewers
2 years, 4 months ago

PMRDA drafts guidelines for mechanical scavenging of sewers

Hindustan Times  

Following the death of three workers while manually scavenging septic tanks of a housing society in Wagholi on October 21, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority has initiated the process of drafting guidelines for mechanised scavenging. The PMRDA fire brigade department officials said they have included some of the guidelines in the draft from standard operating procedures for cleaning of …

‘We need both: Gandhi and Ambedkar’, says Bezwada Wilson, who crusades against manual scavenging
2 years, 6 months ago

‘We need both: Gandhi and Ambedkar’, says Bezwada Wilson, who crusades against manual scavenging

The Hindu  

Bezwada Wilson, 56, born in Kolar to manual scavenger parents, has dedicated his life to the cause of eradicating the demeaning practice in India. In this interview, the Ramon Magsaysay awardee talks about caste, patriarchy and manual scavenging, elaborating his relationship to both Gandhi and Ambedkar. Building toilets without supplying sufficient water or proper drainage, converting manual scavenging into ‘sanitation …

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 …

Data | Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu recorded most sewer-cleaning related deaths in last six years
2 years, 7 months ago

Data | Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu recorded most sewer-cleaning related deaths in last six years

The Hindu  

An answer in the Lok Sabha, quoting surveys conducted by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in 2013 and 2018, mentioned that there are over 58,000 people engaged in manual scavenging in India. While a rehabilitation scheme has provided the workers with a one-time compensation, the capital subsidy has had few takers Sewer deaths The map depicts the State-wise number …

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 …

Government to enumerate people who clean sewers
2 years, 7 months ago

Government to enumerate people who clean sewers

The Hindu  

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is now preparing to undertake a nationwide survey to enumerate all people engaged in hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, an activity that has led to at least 351 deaths since 2017. Ministry officials said that the enumeration exercise, soon to be conducted across 500 AMRUT cities, is part of the Union …

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 …

The IIT-Madras invention that could put an end to manual scavenging in India
2 years, 8 months ago

The IIT-Madras invention that could put an end to manual scavenging in India

Firstpost  

An IIT-Madras start-up has developed a robotic machine to clean septic tanks and hopes to end the dehumanising pratice of manual scavenging in India. Around 10 units have been distributed in Tamil Nadu, which reported the highest number of deaths of workers cleaning sewers over the last three years The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has developed a robot with …

Manual scavenging continues in different forms in Adilabad
2 years, 11 months ago

Manual scavenging continues in different forms in Adilabad

Deccan Chronicle  

ADILABAD: The banned manual scavenging is continuing in the municipalities in the erstwhile Adilabad district despite the governmental claims to stop this practice. The sanitation workers may not clean the wet toilets but they clean the drainages into which shit flows in various ways. “In practice, the sanitation workers of the municipality clean the drainages in which the human excreta …

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 …

Manual scavenging is a blot on society
2 years, 11 months ago

Manual scavenging is a blot on society

Hindustan Times  

The appalling spectacle of human beings dying inside sewer lines was repeated on the outskirts of the national Capital after four people died in the Samaypur Badli area on Tuesday evening. The victims – private contractor Suraj Sahni, labourers Bachhu Singh and Pintu Raut, and e-rickshaw driver Satish Kumar, who jumped into the manhole to try and save the others …

Tamil Nadu: Three Manual Scavengers Die In A Span Of Four Days In Chennai
3 years, 2 months ago

Tamil Nadu: Three Manual Scavengers Die In A Span Of Four Days In Chennai

ABP News  

Chennai: Three workers died while carrying out manual scavenging in a span of one week in Chennai. The first death was reported from Injambakkam on Sunday while two others died while clearing a septic tank at a house in Tambaram on Wednesday. In the incident reported on Wednesday, two workers died due to asphyxiation while clearing an underground septic tank …

No Person Currently Engaged in Manual Scavenging, 158 Died Cleaning Septic Tanks in 3 Yrs: Govt
3 years, 3 months ago

No Person Currently Engaged in Manual Scavenging, 158 Died Cleaning Septic Tanks in 3 Yrs: Govt

News 18  

No person is currently engaged in manual scavenging but 158 persons have died while cleaning sewers or septic tanks in the last three years, the government said on Tuesday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said there have been no reports regarding death of persons due to manual …

World Toilet Day: School Students Create Alternative Solution to Manual Scavenging
3 years, 4 months ago

World Toilet Day: School Students Create Alternative Solution to Manual Scavenging

News 18  

Five students of Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram have created a technologically advanced sewer cleaner as an alternative solution to manual scavenging. Read| Pandemic Pushed Students from Private to Govt Schools, More Girls Than Boys: ASER Report “While sewage cleaning is a huge issue in the country, the menace of manual scavenging has a socio-economic context. The practise has been banned …

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 …

Karnataka: 3 sanitation workers die while cleaning sewage system
3 years, 9 months ago

Karnataka: 3 sanitation workers die while cleaning sewage system

Hindustan Times  

Bengaluru: Three sanitation workers engaged in manual scavenging died of asphyxiation while cleaning a public sewage system in Ramanagara town located around 50 km from Bengaluru on Friday. The three workers, all in the early thirties, died in the drainage even though manual scavenging has been banned since 1993. According to Karnataka State Commission for Safai Karamcharis, the state has …

Govt Failed to Implement Manual Scavenging Act of 2013, Says Rahul Gandhi on Deaths of Over 380 People
4 years ago

Govt Failed to Implement Manual Scavenging Act of 2013, Says Rahul Gandhi on Deaths of Over 380 People

News 18  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the government over deaths of 389 people in the country while manually cleaning sewers from 2015 to 2019 and alleged that it had "failed" to implement the Manual Scavenging Act. Gandhi's criticism of the government came after the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha that 389 people died in the …

Karnataka sweeper ends life after being forced to clean sewage: Why manual scavenging persists in 21st Century India
4 years, 1 month ago

Karnataka sweeper ends life after being forced to clean sewage: Why manual scavenging persists in 21st Century India

Firstpost  

While official figures estimate total 774 deaths between 1993 and March 2019, SKA estimates that nearly 2,000 manual scavengers die every year in the sewers, due to exposure to poisonous gases With one legislation outlawing manual scavenging eight years ago and another in the pipeline, one would think that the inhuman practice having its roots in India’s feudal past was …

Data | Uttar Pradesh records highest number of sewer cleaning-related deaths in last five years
4 years, 1 month ago

Data | Uttar Pradesh records highest number of sewer cleaning-related deaths in last five years

The Hindu  

Despite being outlawed, the dehumanising work of manual scavenging persists in India and has claimed the lives of 340 workers in the last five years, according to the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry. As of January 2020, most of the identified manual scavengers worked in Uttar Pradesh, which also reported the most sewer cleaning deaths in the last five years. …

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 …

FM Aims to Purge Manual Scavenging, Tech & Caste Among Challenges
5 years, 1 month ago

FM Aims to Purge Manual Scavenging, Tech & Caste Among Challenges

The Quint  

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government would employ technology for cleaning sewer systems and septic tanks and eliminate the need for manual cleaning both through technology and legislation, in her budget speech on 1 February. But, even though a law to ban manual cleaning of sewers was passed in 1993, 376 sanitation workers have died in the five …

Sanitation worker dies while cleaning sewer in Delhi's Shakurpur
5 years, 4 months ago

Sanitation worker dies while cleaning sewer in Delhi's Shakurpur

India TV News  

One of the three sanitation workers who had fallen sick while cleaning a sewer in Shakurpur died on Monday at a hospital in Delhi, police said. On Saturday, Gore Lal, Rohit, Sai and Ashok had entered a sewer near a gas agency. On the complaint of Lal, a case under sections 304 of the Indian Penal Code and 7/9 of …

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