Lok Sabha Question No. 4446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-23
Subject: Manual Scavenging
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4446 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2021

## MANUAL SCAVENGING

## 4446. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government is planning to amend the Manual Scavenging Act in order to make mechanised cleaning of sewers and septic mandatory and if the details thereof; SO,
- b) whether  the Government  proposes to redefine manual scavenging  with an emphasis o categorisation of sanitation workers and if so, the details thereof ;
3. whether the Central Mechanical  Engineering Institute   (CSIR-MERI) has   developed a mechanised system to help address the menace of Manual  Scavenging and if SO, the details thereof;
4. whether the Government proposes to grant funds to civic workers for buying cleaning machines and if sO, the details thereof;
5. whether the Government is establishing a National 24x7 Helpline number where cases of
6. the measures being taken by the Government for the protection of the health of manual scavengers in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): 1. There is no such   proposal the Prohibition of   Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act; 2013 (MS Act; 2013) for the following reasons:

Under section 33 of the above Act; %it shall be the duty of every local authority and other agency to use appropriate technology, appliances for cleaning of sewers; tanks and other spaces   within their control with a view to eliminating the need for the manual  handling of excreta in the process of their cleaning' septic

2 Under Rule 3 of the of  Employment as Manual   Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013 (MS Rules, 2013) no person shall be allowed to clean a sewer manually, except: -

1) For the removal concrete or FRP (Fibre reinforce Plastic) or damaged manhole door where mechanical equipments cannot be put into operation.

(ii) For inter-linking the newly laid sewer main with the existing sewer main, in case of sewer of size of more than 300 mm diameter:

(iii) For removal of submersible pump sets fixed at the bottom of the suction wells:

(iv) For the reconstruction of the manhole or rectification of the sewer main:

(v) circumstance, when it is absolutely necessary to have manual sewage cleaning; after the CEO of the local authority has permitted to do so after recording in writing the valid reasons for allowing such cleaning: Any specific

(b): There is no we are   granting capital   subsidy for purchase of equipment for mechanise cleaning of sewer and tank to avoid any accident due to manual cleaning: septic

(c): Council of  Scientific & Industrial Research  (CSIR) has informed that   its constituent laboratory; Central   Mechanical  Engineering Research, Durgapur has developed a prototype trolley mounted machine with engine operated slurry pump and filtrated systems for mechanised cleaning of sewer system for 500 people population.

(d): National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a Scheme, "Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) under which loans are provided to safai karamcharis, manual scavengers & their dependants upto for  procurement of sanitation  related instrumentslvehicles used for mechanised cleaning of sewers and tanks. In case of Self Help Groups of the above, the maximum loan is upto Rs. 50.00 lakh: Subsidy upto a maximum of Rs.3,25,000 per beneficiary is provided under Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) to those who avail such loans: septic

(e): There is no proposal for setting up a National 24x7 helpline number for reporting cases of manual scavenging: However, a Mobile Application "Swachhta Abhiyan App" was launched on 24.12,2020, for uploading the data relating to insanitary latrines and manual scavengers, If any engaged there.

(f): Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Heatlh Authority (NHA) to provide Health insurance benefits to Manual Scavengers households under Pradhan Mantri Jan  Arogya   Yojana (PM-JAY) upto lakhs: