Why in News: A social audit tabled in Parliament revealed hazardous cleaning deaths of 150 workers (2022–23).
Key Challenges in Septic Tank Desludging and Sanitation Work
Hazardous Employment Practices:
- Most deaths occurred under informal/private contracts. Public workers were often “loaned” to private entities, obscuring accountability.
Poor Implementation of Laws/Schemes:
- Prohibition of Manual Scavenging Act (2013) and NAMASTE scheme (2023) poorly enforced.
- Only 16,791 PPE kits for 57,758 workers; low health coverage and awareness training.
Lack of Mechanisation and Funding:
- Only ₹14 crore released under NAMASTE—insufficient even for one metro.
- Many govt tenders still invite manual bids despite robotic alternatives.
Accountability Gap:
- Supreme Court directives on liability remain unimplemented at the local level.
Social Injustice and Neglect:
- 2/3rds of workers are Dalits; rehabilitation measures lack housing, education, or dignified alternative employment.
SC Guidelines on Manual Scavenging (Dr. Balram Singh Case, 2023)
The Supreme Court issued 14 directions to eradicate manual scavenging.
Key points:
- Ban on Manual Sewer Cleaning: Promote mechanised cleaning.
- Rehabilitation: ₹30 lakh for death, ₹10–20 lakh for disability; job and education for kin.
- Accountability: Penal action and contract cancellation for violations.
- NALSA Role: Oversee compensation and frame model guidelines.
- Monitoring: Online portal for tracking deaths, compensation, and rehab.
India’s Initiatives to Curb Manual Scavenging: Policy & Welfare Measures
- Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge: Promote mechanised cleaning in cities.
- Swachhta Abhiyan App: Track manual scavenging cases in real-time.
- Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan: Dignity-based rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
- National Commission for Safai Karamcharis: Monitor welfare and rights.
- NAMASTE Scheme: Holistic action for mechanised sanitation and safety.
Technological Solutions
- Bandicoot Robot: Robotic manhole cleaner.
- Endobot & Swasth AI: Detect sewer blockages and contamination.
- Robo-Drain System: Automated underground sewer cleaning.
Positive Examples:
- Odisha: Effective use of PPE and mechanised vehicles.
- Tamil Nadu: Use of sewer robots in Chennai.
Way Forward:
1. Strict Enforcement: Cancel illegal contracts, make unlicensed sewer work a cognisable offence.
2. Mechanisation & Training: Capital subsidies, operator loans, and service contracts for worker-run units.
3. Expand Scope: Include rural desludging in Swachh Bharat budget and extend NAMASTE to gram panchayats.
4. Social Justice: Ensure full rehabilitation with housing, scholarships, and alternative livelihoods.
UPSC RELEVANCE
GS Paper I – Indian Society
- Social Injustice and Caste Discrimination
GS Paper II – Governance, Constitution, Polity & Social Justice
- Government Policies & Interventions
- Poor implementation of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
UPSC Mains Practice Question:
Q. “Despite legal prohibition and technological advancements, manual scavenging continues as a grim reality in India.” Discuss the causes and critically evaluate the role of recent judicial and policy interventions in ensuring dignified sanitation work. (250 words)