NHRC issues notice to UP Government on manual scavenging
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of a press report on the continued practice of manual scavenging in certain parts of Lucknow. It has issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report within two weeks. According to the press report the practice of carrying night soil on heads is continuing in a number of slums in Lucknow. The report further stated that hundreds of people still carry night soil though this decadent practice was banned in the State more than 10 years ago.
The Commission also raised this matter with the UP Government when the Chairperson and senior officials visited Lucknow last month. The State Government apprised the Commission that they would adopt the Central Act meant for eradicating manual scavenging shortly.
The inhuman and degrading practice of manual handling of night soil, which is prevalent even today in some parts of the country, has been a cause of deep concern to the Commission.
The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 prohibits the employment of manual scavengers as well as construction or continuance of dry latrines. 14 States and all Union Territories have either adopted Central Act or enacted their own laws to deal with the problem.
Upon the intervention of the Commission the Central Act came into force on 26 January 1997. Since then the Commission has been interacting with States, Union Territories and concerned Central Ministries. It has been pressing for the stricter implementation of the Act and for evolving programmes for the rehabilitation of those engaged in the profession. The Commission has also been closely working with the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis and NGOs for evolving suitable measures to eradicate this social evil.
The Commission also raised this matter with the UP Government when the Chairperson and senior officials visited Lucknow last month. The State Government apprised the Commission that they would adopt the Central Act meant for eradicating manual scavenging shortly.
The inhuman and degrading practice of manual handling of night soil, which is prevalent even today in some parts of the country, has been a cause of deep concern to the Commission.
The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 prohibits the employment of manual scavengers as well as construction or continuance of dry latrines. 14 States and all Union Territories have either adopted Central Act or enacted their own laws to deal with the problem.
Upon the intervention of the Commission the Central Act came into force on 26 January 1997. Since then the Commission has been interacting with States, Union Territories and concerned Central Ministries. It has been pressing for the stricter implementation of the Act and for evolving programmes for the rehabilitation of those engaged in the profession. The Commission has also been closely working with the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis and NGOs for evolving suitable measures to eradicate this social evil.