Question : MS Act- 2013

(a) whether a large number of people have reportedly died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in different States;

(b) if so, whether the Government has any data from the States regarding such people;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether recent review of Prohibition of employment as manual scavenges and their rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act) has revealed that no information is available from the States in this regard;

(e) if so, whether the Government proposes to amend the said Act to make it mandatory for States to report such cases; and

(f) if so, the time by which action is likely to be taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

(a) to (c): There have been reports of death of persons while cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Details of such cases identified and reported by the State as per the directives of the Supreme Court in its judgment dated 27.03.2014 in CWP No. 583 of 2003 are at Annexure-I. In addition as and when the cases of death of persons while cleaning sewers/septic tanks come to the notice of the Ministry from individuals or press reports such cases are taken up with the concerned State Government for payment of compensation to the families of the victims and ensure filing of First Information Reports and prosecution. State-wise details of such cases during the last three years and current year are at Annexure-II.
(b): Data relating to identification of sewerage related deaths and compensation paid is given at Annexure I and II mentioned above.
(e) & (b): “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013” provides for a well laid down monitoring mechanism through Vigilance Committee at District and Sub-Division Level, State Level Monitoring Committees and Central Monitoring Committee to monitor implementation of various provisions of MS Act, 2013. In addition, progress of implementation is also monitored through periodic reports, regular meetings with senior officers of the States and Union Territories and meetings of the Central Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from time to time. Accordingly, there is no proposal for amendment of MS Act, 2013, at present.

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