(a) the year in which the practice of carrying night soil on head was banned by the
Union Government;
(b) the names of States where the practice of carrying night soil on head has/has not been
abolished in accordance with it;
(c) whether Government had contemplated to give alternative occupation to the people rescued
from the work of carrying night soil on head; and
(d) whether the Government is contemplating to remove anomalies emerged from this situation?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT(SHRI D. NAPOLEON)
(a): `Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993`,
was enacted, inter-alia to prohibit the employment of manual scavengers.
(b): The said Act has been adopted by 23 States and all Union Territories. Of the remaining 5 States,
two States namely, Manipur and Mizoram have reported that they are dry latrine free and 3 States namely,
Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir have enacted their own legislations. However, certain
instances of manual scavenging have been brought to this ministry`s notice, which have been referred to
concerned State Governments for verification and rehabilitation of remaining manual scavengers.
(c) & (d) : Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), was launched
in January, 2007, for providing financial assistance to the manual scavengers and their dependents
for their rehabilitation in alternative occupations. As per reports received from State Governments
and Union Territory Administrations, there were 1,18,474 manual scavengers and their dependents for
rehabilitation under SRMS, out of which 78,941 beneficiaries found to be eligible and willing for
loan, have been provided loan and capital subsidy for enabling them to take up alternative self
employment ventures.