NCSK Welcomes Delhi Government’s Plan to Introduce Mechanized Cleaning of Sewers

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis has been mandated to monitor the implementation of “The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 and also the Supreme Court Judgement dated 27.3.2014 in WP (C) No. 583 of 2003 in Safai Karamcharis Andolan Vs UOI regarding payment of Rs. 10.00 lakhs as compensation to the dependent family members of sewer/septic death cases.

In discharge of the mandate, the Commission has taken serious view on wake of many sewer deaths in Delhi while cleaning sewer /septic tanks. Hence, Hon’ble Chairman, NCSK has helda meeting on 26.9.2017 with Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Delhi Government to talk over on frequent sewer deaths andovercome on this issue. During the meeting Commission has urged the Delhi Government to immediately ban the hazardous cleaning of Sewer/Septic Tanks manually and for introduction of complete mechanization of this type of cleaning so that further misshaping couldbe avoided. It has also been suggested that theexisting Manual Scavengers and Safai Karamcharisonly be engaged in this mechanism technology.By this way, they will get self-employed. They may be called entrepreneurs, a status that will help them economically. At the same time, it will also ensure their safety and give them dignity.

On the Commission’s recommendations, Delhi Government gave a serious thought and planned to introduce mechanized cleaning of sewers. As a result, Delhi Government has launched 200 Sewer Cleaning Machines for narrow lanes on 28.2.2019, to ensure safety and dignity of sanitary workers.