NHRC issues notices to the Government of NCT of Delhi, Government of India, MCD and Delhi Jal Board with regard to welfare of sewage workers

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of the death of two Municipal Safai Karamcharis working in the Narela area of North-west Delhi on the basis of news items published in the newspapers on 10 July 2000. Emphasizing of the urgency and need for the concerned authorities to address themselves to this problem towards, the Commission felt that there is a continuing apathy in this regard inspite of the Commission having taken cognizance earlier also of the same issue and having issued notices to the Government of India as well as Government of NCT of Delhi along with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Jal Board. "The recent incident re-emphasizes the need for urgent action to prevent any further similar tragedies resulting in loss of human life". Notice has thus been issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, Chairman, Delhi Jal Board Commissioner, MCD and Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India. They have been asked to reply within two weeks time. Earlier in 1998, the Commission had taken up the matter concerning the welfare of persons (sewage workers) involved in the performance of hazardous tasks and had directed the concerned authorities to have a more humane approach and not expose the workers to any undue hazards. In its directions of 3 July 2000, the Commission expressed disappointment with the reply received from the Ministry of Urban Development of India. "It is obvious that no one in the Ministry has cared to even appreciate what is expected by the Commission from the Government of India much less a sensitivity needed in dealing with this issue relating to human dignity". The Commission wished that there would be a shift towards greater sensitivity of the Government in relation to the human dignity. "The Government of India cannot shirk its responsibility to find a humane solution along with the cooperation of the State governments". The Commission had called for an early response from the Ministry