(a) whether manual scavenging is still rampant in several parts of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and the reasons therefor;
(c) the details of the rehabilitation schemes being run for manual scavengers in the
country; and
(d) the action plan, if any, formulated by the Government to further the cause of
rehabilitation of these people?
MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (MUKUL WASNIK)
(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 150 FOR 8.3.2010
BY SHRI DATTA MEGHE AND DR. RAM SHANKAR REGARDING MANUAL SCAVENGING.
(a) & (b): `The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines
(Prohibition) Act, 1993` enacted by Parliament inter-alia prohibits manual scavenging.
As per the Act, no person shall (a) engage in or employ for or permit to be engaged in or
employed for any other person for manually carrying human excreta; or (b) construct or
maintain a dry latrine. Contravention of these provisions is a criminal offence. So far,
the Act has been adopted by 23 States and all Union Territories. Two States, viz. Manipur
and Mizoram have reported that they have no dry latrines, or they are scavenger free. Two
States, viz. Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan have their own Acts. State of Jammu & Kashmir
is yet to adopt the Act. Sanitation is a State subject. Enforcement of the Act lies with
State Governments.
As per the available information, dry latrines exist in four States, namely Bihar, Jammu &
Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
is implementing the Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme, which aims at conversion of dry
latrines into pour flush latrines
(c) & (d): A Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS)
is under implementation since January, 2007 for rehabilitation of eligible manual scavengers
and their dependents in a time bound manner. Main components of SRMS are skill training and
financial assistance (loan and subsidy) for self-employment, as per following details :-
(i) Skill training for a period upto one year, with payment of stipend @ Rs. 1,000 per
month.
(ii) Loan at concessional rate of interest for self employment projects costing upto Rs.
5 lakh.
(iii) Capital subsidy @ 50% of the project cost, for projects upto Rs. 25,000, and @ 25%
for projects above Rs. 25,000, with a minimum of Rs. 12,500 and maximum of Rs. 20,000.
As per reports received from State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, there were
1.17 lakh manual scavengers and their dependents eligible for rehabilitation under the Self
Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), out of which 78,953 have
been found to be eligible and willing for loan. 74,235 persons have been provided loan upto
28.2.2010. The Scheme aims to rehabilitate all the eligible and willing beneficiaries by March,
2010.