States urged to eliminate Manual Scavenging
States urged to eliminate Manual Scavenging
New Delhi 23 November 2003
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Justice A.S. Anand has expressed serious concern over the practice of manual scavenging which still persists in several pockets of the country and underlined the need for taking effective steps to eliminate it.
Reviewing the situation at a high level meeting involving 12 States, central authorities and concerned ngos, he deplored that this "inhuman practice" is still continuing even after 56 years after independence and 10 years after the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 came into force.
Describing it as a "complete denial of human rights", Justice Anand pointed out that though some States say that this problem has been eliminated in towns, but the status with respect to villages is not revealed.
Referring to the scanty baseline data, he asked the States to undertake proper surveys to identify dry latrines which need to be converted in which process ngos and safai karamcharis could be involved. The Chairperson urged the States to set six-monthly targets for conversion of dry latrines and construction of new latrines.
He stressed the need for implementation of relevant Statutes and rules. Favouring a greater role for ngos in the rehabilitation process, he suggested that appropriate vocational training could be given to those engaged in this occupation so as to remove the stigma attached to them.
The Commission ascertained the progress from various States on the following action points identified which include the adoption of the central legislation, survey to identify the number of scavengers and their dependents, imparting training to them and their rehabilitation, appropriate provision in the by laws for the construction of water flush latrine and setting a target by which a State would be free of dry latrines.
The National Human Rights Commission has been vigorously pursuing with the State Governments and the Central Government to end the degrading practice of manual scavenging in the country. The Commission had taken up the matter with the Prime Minister in 2001 and again in 2002. In response, the matter was included as part of the Prime Minister's 15-Point initiative. In keeping with the Prime Minister's announcement, the Planning Commission formulated a National Action Plan for total Eradication of Manual Scavenging by 2007.
The Secretaries of Urban Development Department from the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal participated in the meeting. The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, Planning Commission, HUDCO, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Sulabh International Social Service organization and the Actionaid, India also participated the meeting.
New Delhi 23 November 2003
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Justice A.S. Anand has expressed serious concern over the practice of manual scavenging which still persists in several pockets of the country and underlined the need for taking effective steps to eliminate it.
Reviewing the situation at a high level meeting involving 12 States, central authorities and concerned ngos, he deplored that this "inhuman practice" is still continuing even after 56 years after independence and 10 years after the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 came into force.
Describing it as a "complete denial of human rights", Justice Anand pointed out that though some States say that this problem has been eliminated in towns, but the status with respect to villages is not revealed.
Referring to the scanty baseline data, he asked the States to undertake proper surveys to identify dry latrines which need to be converted in which process ngos and safai karamcharis could be involved. The Chairperson urged the States to set six-monthly targets for conversion of dry latrines and construction of new latrines.
He stressed the need for implementation of relevant Statutes and rules. Favouring a greater role for ngos in the rehabilitation process, he suggested that appropriate vocational training could be given to those engaged in this occupation so as to remove the stigma attached to them.
The Commission ascertained the progress from various States on the following action points identified which include the adoption of the central legislation, survey to identify the number of scavengers and their dependents, imparting training to them and their rehabilitation, appropriate provision in the by laws for the construction of water flush latrine and setting a target by which a State would be free of dry latrines.
The National Human Rights Commission has been vigorously pursuing with the State Governments and the Central Government to end the degrading practice of manual scavenging in the country. The Commission had taken up the matter with the Prime Minister in 2001 and again in 2002. In response, the matter was included as part of the Prime Minister's 15-Point initiative. In keeping with the Prime Minister's announcement, the Planning Commission formulated a National Action Plan for total Eradication of Manual Scavenging by 2007.
The Secretaries of Urban Development Department from the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal participated in the meeting. The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, Planning Commission, HUDCO, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Sulabh International Social Service organization and the Actionaid, India also participated the meeting.