The data of number of manual scavengers as per Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011 was based on self declaration at that period of time and was not verified by the concerned local authority. The data was also verified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through sample check and found not to be correct. Thereafter, a National Survey was proposed to identify the manual scavengers. The National Survey of Manual Scavengers, 2018 was conducted jointly by representatives of local authority/State/District Administration. As a result of construction of a large number of toilets in rural and urban areas under the Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan started in the year 2014 the practice of manual scavenging has been almost eliminated. Therefore, there is variation in the data of manual scavengers as per the Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011 and the National Survey of Manual Scavengers, 2018.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched a mobile app “Swachhata Abhiyaan” (available on play store) on 24.12.2020 to capture the data of insanitary latrines, if any, still existing and manual scavengers associated with them. Any person can upload the data of insanitary latrines and manual scavengers on the mobile app. Thereafter, the data is verified by the concerned district administration. However, not a single insanitary latrine has been confirmed so far after the launch of the App.

There is no report of death due to Manual Scavenging (cleaning of human excreta) as defined under section 5 of the MS Act, 2013

Under the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) major component of expenditure is payment of One Time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to the identified manual scavengers. Since all the identified and eligible manual scavengers have been provided the One Time Cash Assistance, the budget allocation for 2022-23 has been provided as per expected requirement.

Manual cleaning of septic tanks and sewers is being resorted to in some areas in the country.

In accordance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s Judgment dated 27.03.2014 in Civil Writ Petition No. 583 of 2003, compensation of Rs. 10 lakh each is paid to the families of those who have died while cleaning sewers/septic tanks. Central and State Governments are providing rehabilitation benefits, as per their schemes to the family of persons who died due to hazardous cleaning.

The following measures have been taken to promote 100% mechanization, specially cleaning of sewers, septic tanks, desilting of drains, garbage lifting, sludge handling, solid and medical waste disposal etc. and for the benefit of sanitation workers (including waste pickers) and their dependants to provide sustainable livelihood:-

1. Under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) concessional loans are provided to sanitation workers and their dependants and the urban local bodies for procurement of sanitation related equipments, machines and vehicles costing upto Rs. 50.00 lakh. The Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) has been revised from 2020-21 to provide capital subsidy upto Rs. 5.00 lakh to sanitation workers and their dependants for sanitation related projects.
2. Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, free short duration upskilling training is provided to the sanitation workers. The candidates are trained about mechanized cleaning and safety precautions for safe and healthy cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
3. Workshops are organised with officers, engineers, sanitary inspectors, supervisors, contractors and sanitation workers etc. of urban local bodies and authorities responsible for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. During the workshops the participants are made aware about the provisions under the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013”, the rules framed there under and other provisions for safe and healthy cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

NSKFDC also organises health camps in the basties of identified manual scavengers and sanitation workers. During these camps, free health check-up i.e. Sugar, BP, etc is facilitated to the target group of the NSKFDC. Further, need based free medicines & spectacles are provided to the target group during the camps. The doctors of different disciplines i.e. Eyes, General physician and Gynecologist etc. check the patients.

This information was given by the Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MG/RNM/DP

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