Lok Sabha Question No. 204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-11
Subject: Welfare of Manual Scavengers
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 204 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2018

## WELFARE OF MANUAL SCA VENGERS

## 204. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that every year sanitation workers die due to asphyxiation of poisonous gases while engaging in the practice of manual scavenging and if the details thereof; State-wise; SO,

(b) whether the Government has conducted any extensive study to find out the places where manual scavenging is in practice and the number of people who have died due to the same;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the welfare of the employees working under Swachh Bharat scheme is in jeopardy and if the details thereof; and SO,

(e) whether the Government is likely to take  any   effective measures to the   manual scavengers and to eradicate this inhuman practice and if the details thereof? uplift SO,

## ANSWER

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

(a): There has been no report of death of sanitation workers engaged in manual scavenging: However, there have been reports of death of persons while cleaning sewers and Details of such cases reported by the States are at Annexure. septic

(b) to (e): A National  Survey has been   undertaken in 170 identified districts of 18 States to identify all those persons who were cleaning the insanitary latrines which have   since been converted into sanitary latrines under Swachh Bharat Mission. The identified manual scavengers are provided the following rehabilitation benefits under "Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers' (SRMS) to liberate them from manual scavenging:

(i) Onetime cash assistance of Rs.40,000/- to the identified manual scavenger.

- (ii) Skill  Development Training with  Stipend of Rs.3,000/- per month for the training period   upto two years or less   for the identified manual   scavenger/dependent  family member.
- (iii) Loans upto Rs. 15 lakh for income generating activities with capital subsidy upto Rs. 3,25,000/- are provided to the identified manual scavenger/dependent family members at concessional rate of 5% per annum (4% for women) for projects   upto Rs.25000/- and at the rate of 6% per annum for projects above Rs.25000/-.

The Number of beneficiaries who have been provided the above Rehabilitation benefits upto 30.11.2018 are aS under:

- Onetime cash assistance to 24,853.
- (ii) Skill Development Training to 13,587.
- (iii) Capital Subsidy to 955.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is also implementing a Scheme titled *Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme to the Children of those engaged in occupations involving cleaning and prone to health hazards Children of manual scavengers are also eligible for this scholarship:

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs have informed that the individual household sanitary latrines   constructed   under the Swachh Bharat Mission  consist of either an   onsite  treatment system or a connection to underground seweragelseptage system which would eliminate need for manual  scavenging: Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act; 2013 (MS Act; 2013) from 06.12.2013

.

Annexure referred in reply to Part (a) of Lok Sabha unstarred Question No. 204 for answer on 11.12.2018 regarding welfare of manual scavengers.

Details of cases of death of persons in sewers/septic tanks  reported by States 30.11.2018 upto

| No.   | State         | Number of cases identified/   | Compensation paid    | Compensation paid    |
|-------|---------------|-------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
|       |               | reported                      | Full Compensation of | Partial compensation |
|       | Tamil Nadu    | 144                           | 141                  |                      |
| 2     | Telangana     | 2                             | 2                    |                      |
| 3     | Punjab        | 32                            | 32                   | 0                    |
| 4     | Karnataka     | 62                            | 16                   | 8                    |
| 5     | Haryana       | 5                             | 3                    | 0                    |
| 6     | Kerala        | 12                            | 0                    |                      |
| 7     | Rajasthan     | 7                             | 3                    | 2                    |
| 8     | Uttar Pradesh | 52                            | 1                    | 35                   |
| 9     | Delhi         | 15                            | 12                   | 0                    |
|       | Total         | 331                           | 210                  | 47                   |