Plight of scavengers

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(Despite this ban and technological progress through law 28 years ago, manual scavenging that remained susceptible to human rights remains in India. Manual scavenging implies manual cleaning in any manner, The practice of carrying, disposing, or handling human emissions from dry toilets and sewers is now being discussed loudly through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan across the country, it is necessary to eradicate this inhuman profession Serious efforts be made for.)

--Dr. Satywan Saurabh

Research Scholar in Political Science, Delhi University

The system of appointing a particular person for the cleaning of excrement excreted by a human is absolutely inhuman. And to end this evil practice, many great men, including Mahatma Gandhi, tried from time to time, despite this system remained rooted not only in private but also in government establishments. Now that cleanliness is being discussed vigorously through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan across the country, serious efforts must be made to eradicate this inhuman profession. Then Mahatma Gandhi had fully emphasized in 1917 that the people living in the Sabarmati Ashram would clean their toilets on their own. After this, Maharashtra Harijan Sevak Sangh had opposed the practice of manual scavenging in 1948 and demanded to abolish it. The Brave Committee then suggested in 1949 to improve the working conditions of the scavengers. After independence, another committee set up to investigate the conditions of manual scavenging in 1957 suggested the abolition of manual scavenging.

Even after so many years, we come across the country every day to hear the news of death due to human entry into septic tanks and drains. To end such tragic events, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has initiated a technology challenge from non-governmental organizations to seek suitable solutions. To promote the latest technologies in the country instead of human intervention in the cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. Apart from cleaning the septic tanks and drains, manual scavenging has also become a curse for those engaged in this work. Manual scavenging refers to the practice of manually cleaning, carrying, disposing, or handling human emissions from dry toilets and sewers in any manner. Manual scavenging continues to exist in India, despite a ban on it 28 years ago and a technological advance that made it vulnerable to human rights. The socio-economic and caste census released in 2015 stated that there were about 18 million manual scavenging houses in rural areas.

Most septic tanks are emptied manually in Indian cities. Statistics show that 80% of India's sewage cleaners die before the age of 60 due to various infectious diseases. These accidents are more in urban areas and because there are 8000 urban areas of the country and a large part of 6 lakh villages do not have sewage plants. Manual scavenging is strongly associated mainly with the caste system. Lack of support by the society to end this biggest inhuman profession is also a reason behind its persistence. As such, a lack of education and humanity is missing in many parts of India today. An accurate survey is not being done about them because the information on manual scavengers for taking data self-employment is not available due to the social curse. For this, a government initiative is desperately needed. In 1993, the Dry Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act was passed by the Parliament, under which a person was fined up to one year for manual scavenging and a fine of Rs 2,000. Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), a successor scheme in a time-bound manner (National Scheme for the Emancipation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers and their Dependents), to rehabilitate alternative scavengers and their dependents in alternative occupations in 2007 Was introduced.

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 came into effect from 2013. The act bans employment as manual scavengers. The Act states that the National Safai Karamcharis Commission will oversee the implementation of the Act and investigate complaints about violations of the provisions of the Act. Under the provision, no person, local authority, or agency should engage or employ people for the hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. The Supreme Court issued several guidelines in 2014 to stop and control the practice and prosecute criminals. Mechanized cleaning of septic tanks is the set criteria. Violations can lead to imprisonment for two years or a fine or both. It also directed the government to provide compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family members of those killed in manual scavenging acts since 1993. Furthermore, the right to live with dignity is enshrined in the fundamental rights guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution. On the other hand, Article 46 of the constitution provides that the state in particular will protect the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

 In an operation like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, well, a little attention is required on this aspect. Support for technological advancement for the person entering the manhole. Apart from the stigma and discrimination of those engaged in such works, to find a way to secure livelihoods for former or free manual scavengers. Effective use and management of budget support and higher allocation for their rehabilitation. Why do they have to get down in the manhole, should the people responsible for this situation be caught and fined? Why septic tanks are designed badly? Their engineering flaw can be found by finding out why a machine cannot clean it. Millions of septic tanks are being built in rural India under the Swachh Bharat Mission. These should be built on modern technology so that there will be less need for human intervention in the future. Many cities do not have sewerage that covers the entire city. Sometimes, sewage lines are connected to stormwater drains that are eroded and demand human intervention. Open drains are also badly designed, allowing people to dump solid waste, which exacerbates the problem.

 Improper disposal of sanitary napkins, diapers, etc. prevents drains, which machines cannot clean. All of them need to find a different solution. We need to attack the root causes of the sloppy system - caste bias also needs to be abolished because Raja Ram Mohan Roy said that change should happen from the society itself. So now smart cities should be planned to keep in mind the rules. Women should strive to ensure discrimination-free, safe, and alternative livelihoods by providing skill development and livelihood training. There is also a need to create a conducive environment through community awareness and sensitivity of local administration. To prevent this, it is also very important to build community capacity to promote rehabilitation efforts and self-reliance and to build leadership in the community with a special focus on Dalit women.

 According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, only 16 states have adopted the law prohibiting the practice of manual scavenging and none have fully implemented it. Only 6 states have implemented the Employee Compensation Act of the Ministry of Labor. Therefore, by not doing so now, a comprehensive approach is needed to move beyond expanding income generation or providing loans to secure the future of the next generation of free manual scavengers. In the absence of sanitation, old facilities need to be demolished and rebuilt. It is important to increase the confidence level of people engaged in manual cleaning. Political will can play an important role to eradicate this inhuman practice.

-- Dr. Satywan Saurabh

Research Scholar in Political Science, Delhi University