Census raises stink over manual scavenging (original) (raw)

Census raises stink over manual scavenging

PUNE: Contrary to the state government's claim that Maharashtra does not have manual scavengers, Census 2011 has found a high prevalence of this revolting practice in many districts. The state had banned manual scavenging long ago and it has now challenged the report's findings and directed local self government bodies to carry out an independent survey to get the real picture.
The state government's social justice and special assistance department has issued a circular and set May 29 as the deadline to finish the survey.

According to the report, Mumbai has 1,137 manual scavengers, the highest in the state, followed by Akot Municipal Council in Akola district that has 530 manual scavengers. While 96 manual scavengers were found in Pune, in neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad the number was much more at 223.
The deputy secretary of social justice and special assistance department said the government has now alerted district collectors, municipal commissioners and other officials concerned to ascertain the truth. Now an independent survey would be conducted to double-check the findings of the census, officials said.

"We have also sought details of the enumeration blocks where manual scavengers were found by the directorate of census operations. If the prevalence of such a practice is confirmed anywhere, the government will take steps to rehabilitate men engaged in the menial work," G G Alhat deputy secretary, social justice and special assistance department has stated in the circular.
Anil Kamble, regional deputy commissioner, social welfare department said, "Committees have already been formed in district and municipal corporation areas under the district collector and municipal commissioner respectively to oversee the work of the survey. The deadline to finish the survey is May 29." Social welfare department is coordinating the survey work in Maharashtra.

The census found 7.94 lakh cases of human scavenging in the country.

The practice

was found prevalent in in Jammu and Kashmir (1.78 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (3.26 lakh) and

West Bengal

(1.30 lakh).

Sikkim

, Goa, Chandigarh and

Lakshadweep

were found free of the illegal practice. No such cases were found in urban areas of

Himachal Pradesh

,

Daman and Diu

and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
As per the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Bill, the district magistrate has to ensure that no person within his/her jurisdiction is engaged as a manual scavenger or constructs an insanitary latrine and that manual scavengers are rehabilitated.
It makes it mandatory for municipalities, cantonment boards and railway authorities to construct adequate number of sanitary community latrines within three years of this act coming into force.
The penalty for employing a manual scavenger or constructing an insanitary latrine, is imprisonment up to one year or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both.