Manual Scavenging

Manual scavenging, accessibility reforms among Centre's agenda for 2025

Building on the groundwork laid in 2024, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will be focussing on achieving nationwide manual scavenging-free status and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities next year. Even though the ministry has time and again said that manual scavenging no longer exists in the country, only 257 districts have uploaded their manual scavenging-free certificates on the central government portal. The ministry has urged the remaining districts to update their status promptly. Under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem' (NAMASTE) scheme, 54,574 sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled, of whom 37,060 (67 per cent) belong to the Scheduled Castes category, a senior official said. The ministry aims to prioritise their rehabilitation next year. Also, the NAMASTE scheme will expand further in 2025, with plans to profile 2,50,000 waste pickers across the country, the official said. The programme will offer waste pickers

377 died cleaning sewers in 5 yrs, no manual scavenging reported: Govt

A total of 377 people have died from 2019 to 2023 while hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks but there is no report of practice of manual scavenging in the country, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Responding to a question in the House, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale listed the steps taken for effective implementation of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013. In response to another question on the number of people engaged in manual scavenging, Athawale said, "There is no report of practice of manual scavenging currently in the country". "A total of 377 persons have died in states/UTs during the last five years from 2019 to 2023 due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks," he said in a written response.

Parliament proposes no bill for complete abolition of manual scavenging

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said there was a proposal to amend the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013

No Bill proposed for complete abolition of manual scavenging: Govt

There is no bill proposed for complete mechanisation of sewerage cleaning and abolition of manual scavenging, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said on Tuesday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said there was a proposal to amend the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, with the aim to formalise the institutional setup for safe cleaning practices. In view of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) -- formulated jointly by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment -- it was decided not to amend the law, he said. Responding to a question on if there was any bill pending with the ministry for complete mechanisation of sewerage cleaning and abolition of manual scavenging, the minister said, "At present, there is no bill proposed for complete mechanisation of

Notice issued to Centre, Delhi govt on plea against Manual Scavengers Act

he plea also sought a direction to rehabilitate the sewer cleaners and provide them with all the benefits received by manual scavengers under the act

Over 400 died while cleaning septic tanks, sewers in India between 2018-23

According to the data provided by the minister, 76 deaths occurred while cleaning septic tanks and sewers in 2018, 133 in 2019, 35 in 2020, 66 in 2021, 84 in 2022 and 49 in 2023

Govt to pay compensation to families of those who die while cleaning sewers

Taking a grim view of incidents of sewer deaths in the country, the Supreme Court on Friday said government authorities will have to pay Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the kin of those who die while cleaning sewers. A bench comprising Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar said those who suffer permanent disabilities while cleaning sewers will be paid Rs 20 lakh as minimum compensation. "The Union and the state governments must ensure that manual scavenging is completely eradicated," the bench said. Pronouncing the judgement, Justice Bhat said the authorities will have to pay up to Rs 10 lakh if the cleaner suffers other disabilities. Issuing a slew of directions, which were not read out, the bench directed that the government agencies must coordinate to ensure that such incidents do not occur and moreover, the High Courts are not precluded from monitoring the cases related to sewer deaths. The judgement came on a PIL. The detailed order is awaited. As many as 347 people died

236 districts yet to declare themselves manual-scavenging free: Govt

The Centre on Wednesday said 236 districts are yet to declare themselves free from manual scavenging even as it claimed that no district has reported the practice. Fourteen states and Union Territories have declared themselves manual-scavenging free, it said. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said 530 of India's 766 districts have reported themselves to be free from manual scavenging. "There is no report of (the) practice of manual scavenging in any districts. We have requested all districts either to declare themselves free from manual scavenging or upload the data of insanitary latrine and manual scavengers associated with it on the 'Swachhta Abhiyan' mobile app. However, no credible data has been uploaded on the app so far," Athawale said in a written response. Most districts of Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal are yet to

Govt set to declare India manual scavenging free by August: Official

As the government's deadline to declare India manual scavenging free nears, about 246 districts of the country are yet to declare themselves free from the inhuman practice, according to officials. The matter was discussed at the eighth meeting of the central monitoring committee chaired by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar. According to data shared in the meeting, out of 766 districts, as many as 520 districts have declared themselves manual scavenging free, while 246 districts are yet to submit the report. "I would request the states concerned to submit a report to us as we are committed to our vision of declaring India manual scavenging free by August 2023," a senior official with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said. He said the defaulting states are required to either declare all their districts free from manual scavenging or upload existing insanitary latrines and manual scavengers, if any, associated with them so that requisite rehabilitation benefits can

A manhole cover as an objet d'art

Having transformed from functional items to artistic collectibles, manholes have achieved a cult status in many countries

Robots to replace human scavengers to clean clogged sewers in Prayagraj

There is some good news for human scavengers. In a first for the region, smart robots will soon begin cleaning clogged sewers and the project will begin from Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj

400 died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks since 2017: Centre

As many as 400 people have died while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks since 2017, the government said on Tuesday. Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said no death has been reported due to engaging in manual scavenging. "However, 233 persons have died due to accidents while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks during the last three years and current year," he said in a written response. He gave data of number of such deaths recorded since 2017. According to the data, 48 such deaths were recorded in 2022, 49 in 2021, 19 in 2020, 117 in 2019, 67 in 2018 and 100 in 2017.

NHRC issues notice over death of four while cleaning sewage tank in Haryana

The National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognisance of a report that four persons died after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning the sewer tank in Haryana's Faridabad district

NCSC seeks action against AAP MLA for engaging people in manual scavenging

The Aam Aadmi Party leader and Uttam Nagar MLA had recently shared four pictures of drain and sewage cleaning as part of monsoon preparedness on Twitter.

IIT Madras develops robot to clean septic tanks without human intervention

Named HomoSEP, ten units are planned to be deployed across Tamil Nadu and the researchers are in touch with sanitation workers to identify the locations, officials said.

No death reported due to engaging in manual scavenging: Govt

He said 325 people have died due to accidents while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks during the last five years

Maha govt liable to ensure end of manual scavenging in state: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Friday said the Maharashtra government has the responsibility and liability to ensure that the shameful practice of manual scavenging is not carried out anywhere in the state.

Over 66,000 manual scavengers identified across country: Govt

As many as 66,692 manual scavengers, including 37,379 in Uttar Pradesh, have been identified across the country

2 die, 4 unwell after cleaning septic tank at Delhi factory; owner held

Police said during an enquiry, it surfaced that the factory, Delhi Chain Company, at GTK Road industrial area, stored chemicals, used for making ornaments, and water in the tank

Anand Mahindra joins other investors to back robotics start-up Genrobotics

Kerala-based enterprise has been working to eradicate manual scavenging, raises Rs 2.5 cr in pre Series A round