Recently, the Indian government announced two comprehensive initiatives aimed at eliminating the dangerous practice of manual cleaning of septic tanks and sewer lines. Aiming for a shift towards mechanised cleaning, these initiatives are led by The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which intends to amend the law, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which has launched the Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge.
Amending the Law for Modernisation
The government plans to introduce ‘The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020’ as part of the National Action Plan led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Its primary objectives include modernising the existing sewage system, expanding coverage for non-sewered areas and setting up a faecal sludge and septage management system for mechanised cleaning of septic tanks. It also aims to ensure adequate safety equipment for sanitation workers and offers compensation in case of work-related accidents.
Increase in Imprisonment Terms and Fines
To ensure the enforcement of this law, the bill proposes stricter punishments, including an increased term of imprisonment and a higher amount of fine for any person or agency that engages workers for hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
Allocation of Direct Funds
Under this new amendment, funds for purchasing machinery will be provided directly to sanitation workers rather than municipalities or contractors to ensure proper utilisation of resources.
The Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge
Launched on World Toilet Day (19th November), the Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge is a concerted effort to prevent hazardous cleaning of sewers and promote their mechanised cleaning. The challenge, aimed at all state capitals, urban local bodies and smart cities, offers prize money of Rs. 52 crores for winning cities across all categories.
The Prevalence and Concerns About Manual Scavenging in India
Manual scavenging, as defined by the government, is “the removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers”. As per the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), 631 people have died in India while cleaning sewers and septic tanks over the past decade, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
The Reasons for the Persistence of Manual Scavenging
Despite legal prohibitions, manual scavenging persists due to various reasons: a reluctance by state governments to acknowledge the practice; outsourcing of sewer cleaning tasks to errant private contractors; and caste, class and income divides that perpetuate the practice.
Governmental Initiatives to Eradicate Manual Scavenging
The government has previously introduced several initiatives against manual scavenging. These include laws prohibiting construction or maintenance of insanitary latrines, employment of any person for manual scavenging, and measures for rehabilitating identified manual scavengers. Orders from the Supreme Court in 2014 mandated identification of workers who died in sewage work since 1993 and compensation for their families.
The Need for Proper Identification, Empowerment and Social Sensitisation
To fully eradicate manual scavenging, the government recognises the need to accurately identify these workers, empower local administration and sensitise society about this issue. An integral part of this effort is the implementation of more stringent laws that can guarantee the rights of sanitation workers.