The Prime Minister assures NHRC that degrading practice of manual scavenging will be ended
On 12 August 2002, the Chairperson, Justice J.S. Verma, wrote to the Prime Minister, Shri A.B. Vajpayee, regarding the need to bring to an end the demeaning practice of manual scavenging. Specifically, the Chairperson requested the Prime Minister to make an announcement on this subject in his address to the nation on Independence Day, so that “a general awareness is created amongst the people and concerned authorities” to put an end to this practice “forthwith”.
In a reply dated 21 August 2002, the Prime Minister informed the Chairperson that he had included this issue in his “15 point initiative on Independence Day”. In expressing his appreciation of the action taken, the Chairperson replied that he hoped this step “would go a long way towards the elimination of this inhuman and degrading practice at the earliest”.
On 12 August 2002, the Chairperson also wrote to the Chief Ministers of 15 States where the practice of manual scavenging is still prevalent. He reiterated his request that they make a resolve, on Independence Day, that this shameful practice would be brought to an end in their respective States. In response to a similar letter written to Chief Ministers a year earlier, several State Governments had responded saying that they would pursue this matter vigorously and eradicate manual scavenging within a specified time-frame. It is a matter of regret, however, that much remains to be done. The letters this year were addressed by the Chairperson, to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and the NCT of Delhi.
The issue of manual scavenging has been high on the agenda of the Commission for a number of years. Former Chairpersons of the Commission, Justice Shri Ranganath Misra and Justice Shri M.N. Venkatachaliah and, thereafter the present Chairperson, have repeatedly raised this matter with the Chief Ministers of States urging them to act expeditiously eradicate this practice. The Commission has suggested that specific measures be taken both by the Central and State Governments: these include, inter-alia, the adoption and strict implementation of the provisions of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition Act), 1993, by the States, and the replacement of dry latrines by pour flush latrines. The Commission regrets that the progress thus far had been both tardy and inadequate.
In a reply dated 21 August 2002, the Prime Minister informed the Chairperson that he had included this issue in his “15 point initiative on Independence Day”. In expressing his appreciation of the action taken, the Chairperson replied that he hoped this step “would go a long way towards the elimination of this inhuman and degrading practice at the earliest”.
On 12 August 2002, the Chairperson also wrote to the Chief Ministers of 15 States where the practice of manual scavenging is still prevalent. He reiterated his request that they make a resolve, on Independence Day, that this shameful practice would be brought to an end in their respective States. In response to a similar letter written to Chief Ministers a year earlier, several State Governments had responded saying that they would pursue this matter vigorously and eradicate manual scavenging within a specified time-frame. It is a matter of regret, however, that much remains to be done. The letters this year were addressed by the Chairperson, to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and the NCT of Delhi.
The issue of manual scavenging has been high on the agenda of the Commission for a number of years. Former Chairpersons of the Commission, Justice Shri Ranganath Misra and Justice Shri M.N. Venkatachaliah and, thereafter the present Chairperson, have repeatedly raised this matter with the Chief Ministers of States urging them to act expeditiously eradicate this practice. The Commission has suggested that specific measures be taken both by the Central and State Governments: these include, inter-alia, the adoption and strict implementation of the provisions of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition Act), 1993, by the States, and the replacement of dry latrines by pour flush latrines. The Commission regrets that the progress thus far had been both tardy and inadequate.