The Prime Minister assures the NHRC about ending the degrading practice of manual scavenging in the country
On 12 August 2002, the Chairperson, Justice J.S. Verma, wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to make an announcement in his “address on the forthcoming Independence Day so that a general awareness is created amongst the people and concerned authorities to put an end to the demeaning practice of manual scavenging forthwith”.
The Chairpersons also drew attention of the Prime Minister about a similar request, which he had made on the eve of the last Independence Day requesting him to consider the desirability of making an announcement on the Independence Day of 2001, for ending the degrading practice of manual scavenging by 2 October 2002. Again on 14 January 2002, the Chairperson had requested the Prime Minister to direct the authorities concerned to take necessary action in this regard. Though the Prime Minister had acknowledged the letters, no concrete steps were taken in this regard. That is why the Chairperson reiterated his request this year.
In a reply dated 21 August 2002, the Prime Minister has assured the Chairperson that he had “included it (the need to end the degrading practice of manual scavenging) as part of the 15 point initiative on the Independence Day”. The Chairperson has expressed his happiness and has replied that he hoped “the above step would go along 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 other States where manual scavenging is still prevalent. To them also, the Chairperson reiterated his request to resolve on the Independence Day to end this shameful practice and to make their respective State free of dry latrines immediately. The Chairperson had, on 14 August 2001, also written to the Chief Ministers of all States in the country proposing that the Union Government and the State Governments jointly work to ensure that by 2 October 2002, there were no dry latrines left in the country. Several State Governments had made heartening responses and the Commission was assured of their results to eradicate manual scavenging by the stipulated date. It was, however, a matter of regret that some States have not bestowed the needed seriousness and urgency to the task.
The Chairperson has thus written to the Chief Ministers of 15 States -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and the NCT of Delhi.
The Commission, since its inception, has taken up this issue of ending manual scavenging repeatedly and in various forums. The former Chairpersons of the Commission, Justice Rangnath Misra and Mr. M.N. Venkatachaliah and, subsequently the present Chairperson had written to the Chief Ministers of the States urging them to act expeditiously to abolish this practice. The Commission had suggested to both the Central and State Governments that certain specific measures be taken. These include the adoption and strict implementation of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition Act), 1993, by States and the replacement of dry latrines by pour flush latrines. It was a matter of regret that the response thus far had been both uneven and inadequate.
The Chairpersons also drew attention of the Prime Minister about a similar request, which he had made on the eve of the last Independence Day requesting him to consider the desirability of making an announcement on the Independence Day of 2001, for ending the degrading practice of manual scavenging by 2 October 2002. Again on 14 January 2002, the Chairperson had requested the Prime Minister to direct the authorities concerned to take necessary action in this regard. Though the Prime Minister had acknowledged the letters, no concrete steps were taken in this regard. That is why the Chairperson reiterated his request this year.
In a reply dated 21 August 2002, the Prime Minister has assured the Chairperson that he had “included it (the need to end the degrading practice of manual scavenging) as part of the 15 point initiative on the Independence Day”. The Chairperson has expressed his happiness and has replied that he hoped “the above step would go along 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 other States where manual scavenging is still prevalent. To them also, the Chairperson reiterated his request to resolve on the Independence Day to end this shameful practice and to make their respective State free of dry latrines immediately. The Chairperson had, on 14 August 2001, also written to the Chief Ministers of all States in the country proposing that the Union Government and the State Governments jointly work to ensure that by 2 October 2002, there were no dry latrines left in the country. Several State Governments had made heartening responses and the Commission was assured of their results to eradicate manual scavenging by the stipulated date. It was, however, a matter of regret that some States have not bestowed the needed seriousness and urgency to the task.
The Chairperson has thus written to the Chief Ministers of 15 States -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and the NCT of Delhi.
The Commission, since its inception, has taken up this issue of ending manual scavenging repeatedly and in various forums. The former Chairpersons of the Commission, Justice Rangnath Misra and Mr. M.N. Venkatachaliah and, subsequently the present Chairperson had written to the Chief Ministers of the States urging them to act expeditiously to abolish this practice. The Commission had suggested to both the Central and State Governments that certain specific measures be taken. These include the adoption and strict implementation of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition Act), 1993, by States and the replacement of dry latrines by pour flush latrines. It was a matter of regret that the response thus far had been both uneven and inadequate.