NHRC notices to the Haryana Chief Secretary, Palwal Municipal Council Chairman and the SP over the reported death of a person while cleaning a sewage tank

New Delhi, 12th April, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken a suo motu cognizance of a media report that one person died and three others were admitted to a hospital in a serious condition, while cleaning a sewage tank in Palwal district of Haryana. The incident happened on 9th April, 2022 and the work was being carried out by the Municipal Council through a private company, which had further given sub-contract to another company. Reportedly, the workers were not provided safety gears equipment by the contractor.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, the Chairman, Municipal Council and the Superintendent of Police, Palwal calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks. The report is expected to include the present health status of the three injured workers and the relief/ rehabilitation provided to the aggrieved families.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has observed that a large number of people have died within a short span of time while undertaking the sewage/ septic tank cleaning work. It has been taking cognizance of such matters for quite some time now and trying its best to sensitize the authorities to take all precautions during the time of cleaning of the sewage tanks so that precious human lives are not lost due to the negligence.

It has further observed that in spite of specific judgments given by the Apex Court and guidelines issued from time to time by different government agencies, the sewage cleaning workers are still being exposed to extreme danger and subjected to indignity by the public authorities.

The Commission has also issued Advisory on Protection of Human Rights of the person engaged in Hazardous Cleaning of septic tank on 24th September, 2021, which was circulated to Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of all States and UTs and the Union Ministries of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and to the Secretary, National Commission for Safai Karmacharis for taking remedial actions.

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