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

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 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 directions are as follows : The Union should take appropriate measures and frame policies, and issue directions, to all statutory bodies, including corporations, railways, cantonments, as well as agencies under its control, to ensure that manual sewer cleaning is completely eradicated in a phased manner, and also issue such guidelines and directions as are essential, that any sewer cleaning work outsourced, or required to be discharged, by or through contractors or agencies, do not require individuals to enter sewers, for any purpose whatsoever; All States and Union Territories are likewise, directed to ensure that all departments, agencies, corporations and other agencies ensure that guidelines and directions framed by the Union are embodied in their own guidelines and directions; the states are specifically directed to ensure that such directions are applicable to all municipalities, and local bodies functioning within their territories; The Union, State and Union Territories are directed to ensure that full rehabilitation measures are taken in respect of sewage workers, and those who die; The court hereby directs the Union and the States to ensure that the compensation for sewer deaths is increased was made applicable from 1993.