In view of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) — formulated jointly by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment — it was decided not to amend the law, he said…reports Asian Lite News
The central government on Tuesday said that there is no bill proposed for complete mechanisation of sewerage cleaning and abolition of manual scavenging.
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said there was a proposal to amend the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, with the aim to formalise the institutional setup for safe cleaning practices.
In view of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) — formulated jointly by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment — it was decided not to amend the law, he said.
Responding to a question on if there was any bill pending with the ministry for complete mechanisation of sewerage cleaning and abolition of manual scavenging, the minister said, “At present, there is no bill proposed for complete mechanisation of sewerage cleaning and abolition of manual scavenging.
In April, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the centre and raised questions over the death of a sanitation worker due to a gas leak in Varanasi and promised to end manual scavenging.
“On April 5, 2024, a sanitation worker in the Prime Minister’s own Lok Sabha constituency died due to a gas leak when he entered a sewer without equipment. This is not a new case in Varanasi; during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, we were told that in the last ten years, more than 25 deaths have occurred in Banaras due to entering sewers,” he lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Further accusing the Modi government of doing injustice to sanitation workers, he said that, on the other hand, Congress has made this promise in its manifesto that they will end the evil practice of manual scavenging.
“All manual scavengers will be skilled for some other work and will be provided jobs. A dignified and safe life will be ensured for them,” he added.
He further ensured that the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 will be strictly enforced and anyone employing manual scavengers will be punished.
He announced that a compensation of Rs 30 lakh will be given to the families of sanitation workers who lose their lives while performing manual scavenging work.
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