Lok Sabha Question No. 1519 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-07
Subject: Eradication of Manual Scavenging
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION N0.1519 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.12.2021

## ERADICATION OF MANUAL SCA VENGING

## 1519. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Government for the Eradication of Manual Scavenging;
- whether there is any exsiting national O statelevel body to monitor the implementation of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Latrines (prohibition) Act; 1993, if SO, the details thereof; if not, the reasons therefor; Dry
- whether the Government has any State-wise data showing the casualties caused due to the manual scavenging; if So, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken for the rehabilitation of the victims of manual scavenging?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Manual scavenging as defined under Section 2 (1) (g) of the "Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act; 2013)" is prohibited with effect from 6.12.2013. No person or agency can engage or employ any person for manual scavenging from the above date. person Or agency who engages any person for manual scavenging in violation of the provisions of the MS Act; 2013 is punishable under Section & of the above Act, with imprisonment upto 2 years Or fine upto Rs. One Lakh or both Any
- (6) Implementation of the MS Act; 2013 is monitored at three levels viz District; State and Central. At the central level, Central Monitoring Committee (CMC) headed by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment has been constituted which reviews the implementation of the Act. Seven   meetings of CMC have been held with concerned Departments of Central Government, State Governments and members of Civil Societies working in this field: As per provisions of the various State Governments have constituted State Monitoring Committees under the chairmanship of the concerned Chief Ministers O the nominated Ministers to monitor the implementation of the Act: being Act,
- No such casualties have been reported due to manual scavenging:  However, there is a report of death of 321 persons due to hazardous cleaning of sewer and tanks during the last five years. septic
- (d) Government is implementing a Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) The following are the provisions for providing assistance to the identified manual scavengers for their rehabilitation:-
- One Time Cash Assistance of Rs.  40,000/- to one identified manual scavenger in the family.
- iii. Capital Subsidy upto Rs. 5.00 lakh for those who availed loans for Self Employment Projects including sanitation related projects.
- ii. Skill Development Training of manual scavengers and their dependants upto two years with stipend Rs. 3,000/- per month during the training period:
- iv. PMJAY) to the families of all the identified manual scavengers

The following are the achievements of coverage of manual scavengers and their dependants under the Scheme:-

| S.No.   | Provision                                    | Coverage__   |
|---------|----------------------------------------------|--------------|
|         | One Time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000       | 58098        |
| 2       |                                              | 18,226       |
| 3_      | Capital Subsidy for Self Employment Projects | 1575         |

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