Manual Scavenging

Manual scavenging, predominantly relegated to lower castes in India, is a grave human rights violation undermining dignity and health, especially affecting women. Banned in 1993 and further addressed in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, it mandates identification and rehabilitation of manual scavengers. Despite legal measures, the practice persists due to social prejudices, economic challenges, and policy issues. The 2020 Bill proposes stricter penalties. Initiatives like NAMASTE aim to mechanize sanitation and provide alternate livelihoods while schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan tackle sanitation. Combating manual scavenging requires a multifaceted approach integrating policy enforcement, technological innovation, and social collaboration to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers while eradicating this dehumanizing practice.

Manual scavenging refers to the practice of manually cleaning, carrying, disposing of, or handling human excrement from dry latrines, sewers, septic tanks, or open drains. Recent data from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reveals that over the past five years (2018-2023), this hazardous occupation has claimed the lives of 339 individuals, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action to eradicate this perilous practice. Furthermore, according to the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011, approximately 1.82 lakh families rely solely on manual scavenging as their primary source of income, highlighting the entrenched nature of this issue and the profound socioeconomic impact it has on affected communities.

Manual scavenging, an age-old and stigmatized practice, is predominantly relegated to the lower castes, particularly Dalits, in India, representing a severe human rights violation that undermines the dignity, health, and well-being of those involved. Girls and women engaged in manual scavenging are particularly vulnerable, as a vast majority of them clean dry latrines compared to their male counterparts. India initially banned manual scavenging in 1993 with the Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act. In 2013, the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act (PEMSR) was enacted, mandating the identification of individuals engaged in manual scavenging for their liberation and rehabilitation.

Social and Cultural Factors

• Deep-rooted caste and gender prejudices contribute to the perpetuation of manual scavenging, with around 90% of workers being women.
• Societal norms regarding purity and pollution, stemming from the caste system, further marginalize affected communities.

Economic Challenges

• Lack of alternative income opportunities and competition in the job market make manual scavenging an economically viable but exploitative option for many.
• Limited access to education and opportunities for upward mobility trap individuals in a cycle of poverty and social immobility.

Policy and Governance Issues:

• The outsourcing of sanitation services and indifferent attitudes towards the plight of manual scavengers contribute to the perpetuation of the practice.
• Sanitation being a state subject necessitates cooperation and action from state authorities, which may be lacking in some regions
• Septic tanks built under sanitation initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission in rural areas often require manual intervention, perpetuating the demand for manual scavenging.
• Poorly designed septic tanks and inadequate sewage lines make it difficult to mechanize sanitation processes, leading to continued reliance on manual labor.
• The contractual and seasonal nature of manual scavenging work makes rehabilitation efforts challenging, compounded by the lack of reliable data and awareness about the issue

1. Health Issues:
   • High Mortality Rates: Manual scavengers face a significantly increased risk of death due to infectious diseases and workplace accidents. In India, approximately 80% of sewage cleaners die before the age of 60.
   • Reduced Life Expectancy: The life expectancy of manual scavengers is alarmingly low, typically ranging from 40 to 45 years, highlighting the detrimental impact of this occupation on their health and well-being.
2. Social Issues:
   • Social Immobility: Manual scavenging perpetuates social immobility by trapping individuals in a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for advancement.
   • Vicious Cycle of Disadvantage: Limited access to education and skill development opportunities further exacerbates the socio-economic marginalization of manual scavengers, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage across generations.
3. Legal and Institutional Challenges:
   • Vulnerable to exploitation: Despite legal prohibitions against manual scavenging in many countries, including India, enforcement mechanisms are often weak, leaving manual scavengers vulnerable to exploitation and lacking adequate legal protection

1. Constitutional Provisions:
   • The Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability under Article 17, aims to eliminate caste-based discrimination (Article 15) and ensure the right to live with dignity (Article 21).
2. Legislations:
   • The Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993: This act made manual scavenging a punishable offense and provided for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
   • Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: This legislation builds upon the earlier act and specifically prohibits dry latrines and manual cleaning of gutters, sewers, and septic tanks. It includes provisions for rehabilitation, such as one-time cash assistance, scholarships for children of manual scavengers, allotment of fresh residential plots, and subsidies. Engaging any person for hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks by any person or agency is punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to 5 lakhs, or both.
   • Proposed Amendment to the 2013 Act:
     • The proposed amendment aims to make mechanized cleaning of sewers and septic tanks mandatory, further reducing the reliance on manual labor.
     • The 2020 Bill proposes to enhance the stringency of the law banning manual scavenging by increasing the imprisonment term and the fine amount.
   • Safai Karamchari Andolan & Others Vs. Union of India: In 2014, the Supreme Court mandated the government to compensate families of individuals who died in sewage-related work since 1993 with Rs. 10 lakh each
3. Institutions:
   • The National Safai Karmacharis Finance and Development Corporation works towards the economic and social empowerment of sanitation workers.
   • The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was established in 1993 under the NCSK Act 1993, initially for a period of three years. However, with the expiration of the 1993 Act, the Commission continues to operate as a non-statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Its tenure has been extended periodically through government resolutions.
     • As of now, the tenure of the NCSK has been extended until March 2025, with the latest extension being from 2022
4. Schemes:
   • Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge (2020): A scheme aimed at ending manual scavenging and make sewer-cleaning mechanised through various interventions.
   • Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns Scheme (1969): This scheme focuses on the development of sanitation infrastructure in small and medium-sized towns.
   • Total Sanitation Campaign (1999), renamed Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan: A nationwide sanitation campaign aimed at promoting toilet construction and improving sanitation practices.
   • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (2014): Launched with the goal of achieving universal sanitation coverage and eliminating open defecation.
   • Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan: A national campaign aimed at promoting dignity and eradicating manual scavenging, emphasizing rehabilitation and social inclusion.
   • Self employment scheme for rehabilitation of manual scavengers: It provides assistance to the identified manual scavengers and their dependents for their rehabilitation in alternative occupations.
   • NAMASTE: National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) aims to equip sanitation workers with machines to avoid direct contact with human waste, provide skill development opportunities for manual scavengers to transition to other occupations, and foster a shift in public attitudes towards sanitation workers

To propel a comprehensive solution in addressing the challenges of manual scavenging, a multifaceted approach is imperative. Firstly, policy and legislative initiatives should be streamlined, emphasizing the importance of conducting timely surveys to accurately identify manual scavengers. This should be coupled with stringent measures to hold officers accountable for the enforcement of existing laws, ensuring that the legal framework is not only robust but also actively implemented. Additionally, there is a pressing need for a fair and expeditious disbursement of financial assistance to the affected families, thereby providing them with the support they require.

Simultaneously, the integration of technological interventions is pivotal to modernize sanitation practices. Innovations like the Bandicoot robot deployed in Thiruvananthapuram and mini jetting machines in Hyderabad showcase the potential for technology to mitigate the risks associated with manual scavenging. Introducing bio-toilets in the Railway sector further exemplifies how technological advancements can contribute to a safer and more dignified sanitation ecosystem. Furthermore, fostering collaborations with civil societies and NGOs, particularly organizations like Safai Karamchari Andolan, is crucial for conducting comprehensive surveys to identify manual scavengers, promoting awareness, and implementing technological solutions such as Bandikoot to facilitate a sustainable way forward.