Lok Sabha Question No. 726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-25
Subject: Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.726 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2023

## REHABILITATION OF MANUAL SCA VENGERS

## 726. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any measures to avoid hazardous cleaning of sewers and tanks and if So, the details thereof; septic
- (b) the details of the rehabilitation benefits  provided to Manual Scavengers under the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers; and
- (c) whether the Government has an estimate of the number of manual scavengers in the country and if SO, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, which has come into force Wef: 06.12.2013, bans manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. Further; Government has taken the following initiatives to avoid hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks:-
- Under Swachhta Udyami Yojana of NSKFDC, concessional loans are provided to safai karamcharis, manual scavengers & their dependants and the Urban Local Bodies & other agencies responsible for cleaning for procurement of sanitation related instruments/vehicles for complete mechanization of all cleaning operations
- iii. Workshops are organized in  municipalities with the  officers,  engineers,  contractors, sanitation workers etc. of urban local bodies to sensitize them about safe and healthy cleaning practices and mechanized cleaning of sewers & tanks. About 203 such workshops have been   organized in the F.Y. 2022-23 in various urban local bodies (ULBs) pan India. septic
- ii: Under Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) in addition to the manual the sanitation workers   and their dependants are  also provided capital  subsidy upto Rs: 5.00 lakh  for procurement of instruments/vehicles for mechanized cleaning of sewers and tanks: septic
- iv. A short   duration training programme (RPL) is  organized for the  sanitation workers wherein are trained in mechanized  cleaning,  safe & safety precautions, use of PPE kits. Such training has been provided to about 26946 sanitation workers in F.Y. 2021-22 and 2022-23 PAN India. they

To tackle hazardous cleaning specially, the Government has formulated a new scheme called 'National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem' (NAMASTE) whose objectives are as under: -

- Formalization and Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (MS) and Persons Engaged in Hazardous Cleaning of Sewer and Septic Tank (SSWs)
- ii, Promotion of safe and mechanised cleaning of sewers and tanks through trained and certified sanitation workers. septic

## NAMASTE aims tO achieve the following outcomes:

- a Zero fatalities in sanitation work in India
- b\_
- C\_ No sanitation workers to come in direct contact with human faecal matter
- e. Sanitation workers   are collectivized into SHGs and are   empowered to run sanitation enterprises
- d. Strengthening and capacitating Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) t0 ensure safe delivery of mechanized sanitation services
- f. Sewer and Septic tank sanitation workers (SSWs) and their dependents also have access to livelihoods by providing capital subsidy for purchase of sanitation related equipments
- Extending Health AB-PMJAY to SSWs & manual scavengers and their family members.
- g. Increased awareness amongst sanitation services seekers (individuals and institutions) to Sanitation   Service Organizations (PSSOs) and skilled & certified sanitation workers only:
- Occupational safety training to SSWs
- (b): The following rehabilitation benefits have been provided under Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS)
- a One-time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000/- per family has been provided to all identified and eligible 58098 manual scavengers.
- Capital  Subsidy upto 5,00,000/has been  provided to 2313 indentified manual scavengers and their dependents to take up alternate self employment projects
- C. Skill Development Training has been provided to 22294 indentified manual scavengers and their dependents with stipend Rs 3,000/- per month the training period. The successfully trained candidates are also provided Government recognized training certificates and assistance for sustainable employments during
- d. PMJA Y) to the families of all the identified manual scavengers.
- (c): Yes, Sir: Two surveys have been conducted for identification of manual scavengers in the year 2013 and 2018. As per these two surveys, 58098 eligible manual scavengers have been identified: