Question : Manual Scavenging

(a) whether as per the latest Socio-Economic and Caste Census data, the practice of manual scavenging is prevalent in the country and a large number of persons/households are still engaged therein and if so, the details thereof, State-wise and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) the steps taken so far for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers and their families including the details of skill training provided to them along with the number of beneficiaries covered and funds spent thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Supreme Court has made any observation/issued directives in this regard, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

(d) the number of prosecutions, if any, under the laws enacted for prohibition of manual scavenging in the country during the said period, State-wise; and

(e) the further steps proposed to be taken by the Government for eradication of manual scavenging, in coordination with the States, in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a): As per Socio-Economic and Caste Census-2011 there are 1,80,657 manual scavengers in the rural areas of the country. State-wise details are given in the Annexure- I. Since this data is based on self declaration by the households, the same is verified by the Chief Executive Officer of the concerned Gram Panchayat in accordance with the provision of the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013” for inclusion in the list of identified manual scavengers for their rehabilitation.

(b): Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) under which the identified manual scavengers are provided the following benefits:
(i) onetime cash assistance of Rs.40000/- each
(ii) Skill Development Training with Stipend of Rs.3000/- .
(iii) Loans for income generating activities at concessional rate of interests with capital and interest subsidy.

Details of benefits provided to the identified manual scavengers for their rehabilitation and the expenditure incurred for this purpose during the last three years are given in Annexure-II.

(c) Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its verdict dated 27.3.2014 in Case No. 583/2003 in the matter of Safai Karamchari Andolan & Ors Vs. Union of India and Ors. regarding elimination of manual scavenging has issued detailed directions in the matter, which, inter alia, include:-
(i) Rehabilitation of identified manual scavengers as per the provisions of the MS Act.
(ii) Identification of the families of all persons who have died in sewerage work (manholes, septic tanks) since 1993 and award compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs for each such death to the family members depending on them.
The State Governments/Union Territory Administrations have been requested to implement the above directives.
(d): The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has not received any report from the States/ Union Territories in this regard.

(e): Manual Scavenging is prohibited activity under “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013” which has come into force from 06.12.2013. Any contravention of this provision is punishable with imprisonment or fine or both under section 8 of the Act. To eradicate manual scavenging in future, the Act also provides for:

(i) Identification of all insanitary latrines and their conversion into sanitary latrines.
(ii) Identification of all the manual scavengers and their rehabilitation.