Question : BAN ON MANUAL SCAVENGING

(a) whether the manual scavenging still exists in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the reasons for not imposing a ban on the said practice;

(d) whether there was a strong criticism by the court against non-implementation of ban on manual scavenging;

(e) if so, whether any high level inquiry has been ordered to ascertain present status of manual scavenging;

(f) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken by the Government in this regard so far;

(g) the details regarding the scheme introduced in 1981 envisaging conversion of dry latrines into low cost twin pit sanitary latrines;

(h) the funds allocated during the Tenth Five Year Plan alongwith the details of utilized fund as well as the reasons for not utilizing the fund, State-wise; and

(i) the time frame to end such practice?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN EMPLOYMENT & POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( KUMARI SELJA )

(a)&(b): As per the information provided by the States/UTs, total number of scavengers and their dependents yet to be liberated is estimated at 3.27 lacs. Twin-pit water flush latrines are not available to the entire population in the country and dry latrines still exist in some parts of the country.

(c): The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 enacted by the Government of India provides for the prohibition of engagement and employment of any person for manually carrying human excreta and on construction or maintenance of dry latrines.

(d)to(f): As intimated by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the Writ Petition filed by the Safai Karmchari Andolan and Others Vs. Union of India and Others is being heard by the Hon`ble Supreme Court of India. No high level inquiry has been ordered by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to ascertain whether manual scavenging is still being practiced.

(g): The Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme for Liberation of Scavengers(ILCS) was introduced in 1981 envisaging, inter-alia, conversion of dry latrines into `twin-pit` water-borne sanitary latrines.

(h): During the Tenth Plan an amount of Rs.200 crore has been allocated for the Scheme. Since this is a demand driven scheme, no state-wise allocations are being made by the Planning Commission. Details regarding State-wise details of subsidy released, utilization certificates received as on 30th September, 2005 is annexed. Regarding non utilization of funds by the States, some of the reasons are:

# Unspent balances with the State Governments

# Non-submission of viable schemes/proposals by the State Governments.

(i): Government has formulated the National Action Plan for Total Eradication of Manual Scavenging by 2007.

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART(h) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2002 FOR 06-12-2005.

ANNEXURE

DETAILS OF UTILISATION CERTIFICATES RECEIVED AGAINST THE SUBSIDY RELEASED IN RESPECT OF ILCS PROGRAMMES OF MINISTRY OF URBAN EMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION (MOUEPA).

(STATUS AS ON 30.09.2005)
(AMOUNT-RS IN LACS)
STATE	MOUEPA SUBSIDY	AMOUNT OF UCs	RELREASED	RECEIVED
ANDHRA PRADESH	8307.69	6409.11	ASSAM	295.7	41.29	BIHAR	106.75	0	CHATTISGARH	366.18	131.79	HARYANA	1063.8	289.99	JAMMU & KASHMIR	215.98	215.59	JHARKHAND	19.98	0	KARNATAKA	669.33	669.33	KERALA	69.08	69.08	MADHYA PRADESH	2909.54	2603.79	MAHARASHTRA	1084.32	749.45	MANIPUR	137.72	73.37	MEGHALAYA	32.63	16.4	ORISSA	315.07	66.1	PUNJAB	2055.94	2055.94	RAJASTHAN	2553.75	1954.48	TAMILNADU	573.83	572.22	TRIPURA	176.36	173.26	UTTAR PRADESH	4455.06	2950.65	UTTARANCHAL	509.43	135.91	WEST BENGAL	3636.48	3159.32	ANDAMAN & NICOBAR	16.5	0	TOTAL	29571.12	22337.07