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Manual Scavenging

Manual scavenging involves the cleaning of dry latrines and is an occupation historically performed by Dalits. Several initiatives since the 1950s have aimed to abolish this practice and rehabilitate manual scavengers, including laws passed in 1993 and 2013. However, manual scavenging continues illegally due to inadequate identification of scavengers, lack of alternative livelihoods, and threats from community employers. Judicial intervention has sought to address the government's failure to fully eliminate this inhuman practice.

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shanthosh raman
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43 views

Manual Scavenging

Manual scavenging involves the cleaning of dry latrines and is an occupation historically performed by Dalits. Several initiatives since the 1950s have aimed to abolish this practice and rehabilitate manual scavengers, including laws passed in 1993 and 2013. However, manual scavenging continues illegally due to inadequate identification of scavengers, lack of alternative livelihoods, and threats from community employers. Judicial intervention has sought to address the government's failure to fully eliminate this inhuman practice.

Uploaded by

shanthosh raman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Abolition of manual scavenging

INTRODUCTION

Manual scavenging is a profession which has been in


existence since the human civilization and its
compartmentalisation into varna system in India. Deemed to
polluting and filthy occupation, this job is performed
exclusively by dalits and that too, to a sub-caste of daliths
who are considered even by other dalits sub-castes to be
‘untouchable’
Definition,
Section 2 (g) of the Prohibition of Employment
as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation
Act, 2013 defines manual scavenger
Initiatives for eradication

● In the late 1950s,freedom fighter G. S. Lakshman


Iyer banned manual scavenging when he was the chairman
of Gobichettipalayam Municipality

● In 2007 the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of


Manual Scavengers was passed to help in transition to other
occupations

● In February 2013 Delhi announced that they were banning


manual scavenging, making them the first state in India
The Employment of Manual Scavengers &

Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993

● After six states passed resolutions requesting the


Central Government to frame a law, "The Employment
of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry
Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993", drafted by the
Ministry of Urban Development under the Narashima
rao government, was passed by Parliament in 1993
The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and
their Rehabilitation Act 2013 or M.S. Act 2013

Government has passed the new legislation in September 2013


and issued Government notification for the same. In December,
2013 Government also formulated Rules-2013 called as "The
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their
Rehabilitation Rules 2013" or "M.S. Rules 2013".
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their
Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020

The Bill calls for a complete mechanization of cleaning


sewers and septic tanks.
Article 14 - Equality before law (Right to Equality)

Article 16(2) - Equality of opportunity in matters of public


employment

Article 17 - Abolition of Untouchability;

Article 19(1)(a) - Right to practice any profession, or to carry on


any occupation, trade or business

Article 21- Protection of life and personal liberty


Article 46: Promotion of educational and
economic interests of scheduled castes,
scheduled tribes and other weaker sections

Article 47: Duty of the State to raise the level


of nutrition and the standard of living and to
improve public health

Article 338: Constitution of a National


Commission for Schedule Caste.
Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour

Article 41: Right to work, to education and public assistance in


certain circumstances

Article 42: Just and humane conditions of work;


Barve committee
Government
appointed Kaka kalekar commission

committees Malkani committee


and Committee on customary rights
commissions
Pandya committee
Self-employment scheme for rehabilitation of
manual scavenging (SRMS)

Government/ National scheme of liberation and rehabilitation


of scavengers and their dependents (NSLRSD)
administrative
schemes Integrated low cost sanitation scheme

Nirmal Bharat Abhiyaan (NBA) (2009-14) and


Swach Bharat Abhiyaan (SBA) (2014- 19):
Judicial intervention in manual scavenging

● Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India

● Delhi Jal Board v. National Campaign for Dignity & Rights of Sewerage
& Allied Workers
Inadequate surveys and failure to identify
people still engaged in manual scavenging

Lack of alternative employment


opportunities

challenges Threats and harassment from community


employers

Difficulties in accessing the criminal justice


system

State’s failure to stop illegal employment of


manual scavengers by local households

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