Manual Scavenging

Syllabus: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

Source: NIE

Context: The Supreme Court has ordered a complete stop to the practice of manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in six major metropolitan cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

About manual scavenging and its recent data in India:

• Definition:

• Manual scavenging refers to the manual removal of human excreta from dry latrines, sewers, and septic tanks. It is a dehumanizing practice often linked to caste-based discrimination, as it is predominantly carried out by Dalits and other marginalized communities.

• Recent Data:

• According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 443 deaths were reported due to manual scavenging between 2018 and 2023. A Right to Information (RTI) response revealed that in Delhi alone, 94 deaths occurred in the past 15 years, with only one conviction. As of 2024, 97% of manual scavengers belong to Scheduled Castes (SCs), with 42,594 SCs, 421 Scheduled Tribes (STs), and 431 Other Backward Classes (OBCs) engaged in this practice.

• According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 443 deaths were reported due to manual scavenging between 2018 and 2023.

• A Right to Information (RTI) response revealed that in Delhi alone, 94 deaths occurred in the past 15 years, with only one conviction.

• As of 2024, 97% of manual scavengers belong to Scheduled Castes (SCs), with 42,594 SCs, 421 Scheduled Tribes (STs), and 431 Other Backward Classes (OBCs) engaged in this practice.

• Judicial Intervention:

• In Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India (2014), the Supreme Court mandated ₹10 lakh compensation for families of those who died while cleaning sewers since 1993. The court has repeatedly emphasized that manual scavenging violates Article 21 (Right to Life) and Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability) of the Constitution.

• In Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India (2014), the Supreme Court mandated ₹10 lakh compensation for families of those who died while cleaning sewers since 1993.

• The court has repeatedly emphasized that manual scavenging violates Article 21 (Right to Life) and Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability) of the Constitution.

• Health Hazards:

• Manual scavengers are exposed to life-threatening diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and respiratory infections due to direct contact with human waste and toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide.

Why Manual Scavenging Persists?

• Lack of Enforcement: Despite laws, enforcement remains weak. Contractors and municipalities often bypass regulations, employing manual scavengers at low wages.

• Caste Hierarchy: The practice is deeply rooted in caste-based discrimination, with Dalits forced into this occupation due to social stigmaand lack of alternatives.

• Inefficient Sewage Systems: Most Indian cities lack modern sewage infrastructure, making manual cleaning unavoidable in narrow lanes and poorly maintained systems.

• Economic Dependence: Manual scavengers, often unskilledand illiterate, have limited access to alternative livelihoods, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

• Lack of Awareness: Many manual scavengers are unaware of their legal rightsand government schemes, perpetuating their exploitation.

Challenges Surrounding Manual Scavenging:

• Health Risks: Exposure to toxic gases and human waste leads to chronic illnesses and premature

• Social Discrimination: Manual scavengers face social exclusionand stigma, limiting their access to education and employment opportunities.

• Legal Loopholes: Weak enforcement of laws and lack of accountability allow the practice to continue unchecked.

• Technological Gaps: Limited availability of mechanized cleaning equipment and high costs hinder the transition to safer methods.

• Data Inaccuracy: Many states underreport manual scavenging cases, leading to incomplete data and ineffective policy implementation.

Way Ahead:

• Strengthen Enforcement: Ensure strict implementation of the PEMSR Actand hold contractors and municipalities accountable for violations.

• Promote Mechanization: Invest in sewer-cleaning robots and modern equipment to eliminate the need for human intervention.

• Skill Development: Provide vocational training and alternative livelihood options to manual scavengers through schemes like MNREGA.

• Awareness Campaigns: Educate manual scavengers about their rights and government schemes to empower them.

• Community Involvement: Engage civil society organizations and local communities to combat caste-based discrimination and promote social inclusion.

Conclusion:

Manual scavenging is a blot on India’s progress, perpetuating caste-based oppression and human rights violations. While the government has introduced laws and schemes, effective implementation and community involvement are crucial to eradicate this practice. The Supreme Court’s recent intervention underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to ensure dignity and equality for all.

Insta Links:

• The-problem-of-manual-scavenging-in-India

• What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (UPSC-2018)