SC to states, UTs:Implement law to eradicate manual scavenging

The Supreme Court today asked all the state governments and Union Territories to fully implement legislation for eradicating manual scavenging and take action against violators, while issuing directions for education, employment and rehabilitation of affected people.
A bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam and justices Ranjan Gogoi and N V Ramana also directed them to take appropriate action for non-implementation as well as violation of the provisions contained in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
"In the light of various provisions of the Act referred to above and the rules in addition to various directions issued by this court, we hereby direct all the state governments and the Union Territories to fully implement the same and take appropriate action for non-implementation as well as violation of the provisions contained in the 2013 Act.

"Inasmuch as the Act 2013 occupies the entire field, we are of the view that no further monitoring is required by this court. However, we once again reiterate that the duty is cast on all the states and the Union Territories to fully implement and to take action against the violators," the bench said.
It also issued a slew of directions like the persons included in the final list of manual scavengers under the provisions of the Act be rehabilitated by giving cash assistance and their children shall be entitled to scholarship as per the relevant scheme of the Central or the state government or the local authorities, as the case may be.

The people who were employed as scavengers be alloted residential plot or ready-built house or financial assistance for house construction according to their eligibility and willingness, the bench said.
"At least one member of their family, shall be given, subject to eligibility and willingness, training in livelihood skill and shall be paid a monthly stipend during such period," the bench said in its judgement, adding that an adult member of the family be given subsidy or concessional loan for taking up an alternative occupation.