The Madras High Court today issued notices to the officials including Tiruchirapalli Corporation Commissioner for continuing with the pratice of manual cleaning of sewage and septic tanks without safety measures.
Admitting the PIL filed by V Saravanan, District president, Thanthai Periyar Mannakaratchi Thuppuravu Thozhilalarkal Sangam (Association for scavengers), a Division Bench of Justice V Sudhakar and Justice V M Velumani of Madurai Bench ordered notice to officials including chief of Tiruchirapalli Corporation with a direction to reply by February 10.
The petitioner had alleged that the officials intentionally ignored the demand to provide equipment for the scavengers.
The PIL also sought action against erring officials for violation of human rights and failure to implement provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 under which safety equipment should be provided.
It also sought a direction to direct the officials to immediately provide safety equipment.
