Ministry of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation is organizing a one-day State Welfare Ministers’ Conference on Manual Scavenging at New Delhi on 22nd June. Around 300 delegates representing various state governments, central government, NGOs will be participating in this meeting. Minister of State I/C for Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation, Kumari Selja will preside over this function which will be addressed by the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt. Meira Kumar.
This conference is expected to evaluate the impact of government programme on liberation, training and rehabilitation of scavengers and will set a time frame to achieve total abolition of manual scavenging. The meeting will also discuss among other things; (i) the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 (ii) Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme (iii) National Action Plan for Total Eradication of Manual Scavengers by 2007. (iv) Projects/Schemes Implemented by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
It may be noted that the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 has been adopted by 17 states and all Union Territories. Out of the remaining 11 states, 6 have reported that there are no dry latrines or they are scavenger free. 2 states namely Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh have their own act. States like Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya and Uttaranchal are yet to adopt this act. Minister of State (I/C), Kumari Selja has requested the Chief Ministers for adoption of this act at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the National Action Plan for Total Eradication of Manual Scavenging by 2007 has envisaged; identification of manual scavengers, involvement of NGOs and proper incentives for implementing of 1993 Act. Also Ministry of Finance has been requested to issue necessary instructions to Nationalized Banks for providing loans for implementing this action plan.
HRK/Aa
(Release ID :9763)