Question : Cleaning of Waste

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has noticed deaths of several workers during sewer cleaning;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the death of the workers reported during the last three years and the current year, state-wise along with compensation paid to the next kin of them;

(c) whether the Government proposes to impose penalty for dumping wastes in the sewers and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to replace the manual work with mechanical cleaning of sewers and septic tanks under the new urban development mission and provide financial assistance for procurement of modern machinery in this regard;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard; and

(f) Whether the Government facilitate the partnership of international agencies in sanitation and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Urban Development has noticed that there have been deaths of sanitation workers in few cities where cleaning of sewers are carried out manually without following the laid down procedure for sewer cleaning along with safety aspects.

However, no specific information has been received by this Ministry from the State Governments regarding deaths of sanitation workers.


(c) : There is no such proposal with the Ministry to impose penalty for those who dump the waste in sewers as the subject of levying appropriate penalties rest with the State Governments and ULBs.

(d) &(e): The Ministry proposes to provide financial assistance to State Governments for procurement of mechanical devices for cleaning of sewers & septic tanks in 500 Class-I cities/towns under the Two Missions launched by the Ministry such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation ((AMRUT) and Mission for Smart Cities. The Missions will facilitate funding of suction machines for cleaning of septic tanks and sewers.

(f): The Ministry of Urban Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for technical and knowledge support for the implementation of the sanitation program.


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