Question : DUSTBINS IN COACHES

(a) whether it is a fact that the Railways are the largest employers of the manual scavengers, in contravention of the 1993 law on the abolition of manual scavenging;

(b) if so, the measures taken to stop the manual scavenging in the Railways;

(c) whether Railways propose to provide all amenities including dustbins in all categories of passenger coaches and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of expenditure likely to be incurred on installation of dustbins and the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a): No, Madam. There are no manual scavengers on Indian Railways.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): Yes, Madam. Provision of dustbins has been prescribed in all mainline coaches.

(d): The expenditure likely to be incurred on installation of dustbins is to the tune of Rs.5000 per coach. Subject to availability of funds, installation of dustbins in remaining coaches is possible during Periodical Over Hauling (POH) which is carried out after every 18 months and Mid Life Rehabilitation (MLR) which is carried out after 12-15 years of service.