WELFARE OF MANUAL SCAVENGERS
By PIB Delhi
No death has been reported due to engaging in Manual Scavenging (which is lifting of human excreta from insanitary latrines as defined in Section 2(1) (g) of the MS Act, 2013). However, 325 persons have died due to accidents while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks during the last five years and family members of 276 persons have received compensation during the said period. Details are given at Annexure.
In accordance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s Judgment dated 27.03.2014 in Civil Writ Petition No. 583 of 2003, compensation of Rs. 10 lakh each is paid to the families of those who have died while cleaning sewers/septic tanks. Central and State Governments are providing rehabilitation benefits, as per their schemes to the family of persons who died due to hazardous cleaning.
In addition, Government is implementing a Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS). The following are the provisions for providing assistance to the identified manual scavengers for their rehabilitation:-
- One Time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to one identified manual scavenger in the family.
- Skill Development Training of manual scavengers and their dependants upto two years with stipend @ Rs. 3,000/- per month during the training period.
- Capital Subsidy upto Rs. 5.00 lakh for those who availed loans for Self Employment Projects including sanitation related projects.
- Health insurance under Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to the families of all the identified manual scavengers.
As per the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013)” manual scavenging is a prohibited activity in the country with effect from 6.12.2013. No person or agency can engage or employ any person for manual scavenging from the above date. Any person or agency who engages any person for manual scavenging in violation of the provisions of the MS Act, 2013 is punishable under Section 8 of the above Act, with imprisonment upto 2 years or fine upto Rs. One Lakh or both.
Manual Scavenging is a banned activity under the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013)” throughout the country.
Annexure
Details of death of persons in sewers and septic tanks during the last five years (2017 to 2021)
| Status of payment of compensation in terms of Supreme Court Judgment dated 27.03.2014 | ||||
| S No | Name of State/UT | Total Number of sewer death | 10 Lac | Less than 10 Lac |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 13 | 10 | 0 |
| 2 | Bihar | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Chhattisgarh | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Chandigarh | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Delhi | 42 | 37 | 0 |
| 6 | Goa | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Gujarat | 28 | 23 | 0 |
| 8 | Haryana | 33 | 23 | 6 |
| 9 | Karnataka | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 10 | Kerala | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | Maharashtra | 30 | 11 | 0 |
| 12 | Madhya Pradesh | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | Odisha | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 14 | Punjab | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| 15 | Rajasthan | 13 | 11 | 1 |
| 16 | Tamil Nadu | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 17 | Telangana | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 18 | Tripura | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Uttrakhand | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Uttar Pradesh | 52 | 27 | 17 |
| 21 | West Bengal | 13 | 8 | 1 |
| Total | 325 | 245 | 31 |
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
