Manual Scavenging Survey

Syllabus: Social Justice

Source: TH

Context: The Government of India, through its NAMASTE programme, is conducting the first-ever comprehensive survey to profile workers involved in the hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

Summary of survey:

• Demographics of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs): 91.9% of the 38,000 SSWs profiled across 29 States and Union Territories belong to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC). Breakdown: 68.9% SC, 14.7% OBC, 8.3% ST, and 8% from the general category.

• 91.9% of the 38,000 SSWs profiled across 29 States and Union Territories belong to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC).

• Breakdown: 68.9% SC, 14.7% OBC, 8.3% ST, and 8% from the general category.

• Incidence of Deaths: Between 2019 and 2023, 377 deaths occurred due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

• Between 2019 and 2023, 377 deaths occurred due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

• NAMASTE Programme: Launch Year: 2023-24 Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Aim: To mechanise the cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. To eliminate deaths due to hazardous cleaning. To empower workers involved in this sector by transforming them into “sanipreneurs” (sanitation entrepreneurs). To ensure the safety and dignity of sewer and septic tank workers through proper training and equipment.

• Launch Year: 2023-24

• Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

• Aim: To mechanise the cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. To eliminate deaths due to hazardous cleaning. To empower workers involved in this sector by transforming them into “sanipreneurs” (sanitation entrepreneurs). To ensure the safety and dignity of sewer and septic tank workers through proper training and equipment.

• To mechanise the cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

• To eliminate deaths due to hazardous cleaning.

• To empower workers involved in this sector by transforming them into “sanipreneurs” (sanitation entrepreneurs).

• To ensure the safety and dignity of sewer and septic tank workers through proper training and equipment.

• Targets: Profile all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) across India. Provide safety training, protective gear, and mechanised equipment to eliminate manual hazardous cleaning. Offer financial support and capital subsidies to turn SSWs into self-employed “sanipreneurs.” Create a centralised database of SSWs for policy implementation and tracking.

• Profile all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) across India.

• Provide safety training, protective gear, and mechanised equipment to eliminate manual hazardous cleaning.

• Offer financial support and capital subsidies to turn SSWs into self-employed “sanipreneurs.”

• Create a centralised database of SSWs for policy implementation and tracking.

• Progress:

• Around 38,000 SSWs have been profiled so far, with 12 States/UTs completing the process. As of 2023-24, 31,999 SSWs have been validated. 191 beneficiaries received ₹2.26 crore in capital subsidies for self-employment projects. 413 workers and dependents received ₹10.6 crore in subsidies for sanitation-related projects.

• Around 38,000 SSWs have been profiled so far, with 12 States/UTs completing the process.

• As of 2023-24, 31,999 SSWs have been validated.

• 191 beneficiaries received ₹2.26 crore in capital subsidies for self-employment projects.

• 413 workers and dependents received ₹10.6 crore in subsidies for sanitation-related projects.

• Challenges and Gaps: Several States, including Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, and West Bengal, have yet to begin profiling SSWs. Tamil Nadu and Odisha are running their own programmes, not reporting data to the Centre.

• Several States, including Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, and West Bengal, have yet to begin profiling SSWs.

• Tamil Nadu and Odisha are running their own programmes, not reporting data to the Centre.

• Social Composition of Manual Scavengers (2018 Data): Of the 58,098 manual scavengers identified until 2018, 97.2% belonged to SC communities. All identified manual scavengers received ₹40,000 as a one-time cash transfer, with 18,880 opting for skills training.

• Of the 58,098 manual scavengers identified until 2018, 97.2% belonged to SC communities.

• All identified manual scavengers received ₹40,000 as a one-time cash transfer, with 18,880 opting for skills training.

Best Practices:

Eco-Sanitation Solutions: South Africa employs “dry toilets” and ecological sanitation systems (EcoSan) in areas with poor sewage infrastructure. These systems do not require manual cleaning, thus reducing the need for manual scavengers.

This survey marks a significant step towards ending the hazardous practice of sewer cleaning and ensuring better opportunities and safety for sanitation workers across India.

Insta Links:

• Manual Scavenging

‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to (UPSC – 2016)

a) rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood

b) release the sex workers from their practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood

c) eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers

d) release the bonded labourers from their bondage and rehabilitate them

Answer: c)