Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Deccan Herald
Context: The Supreme Court of India has expressed distress over deaths occurring during sewer cleaning due to the practice of manual scavenging and issued a directive to government authorities.
- Over the past five years, 347 people have lost their lives while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in India.
Directives:
- Required to provide compensation of Rs 30 lakh to the families of individuals who lose their lives while cleaning sewers.
- The court also stated that those who suffer permanent disabilities during such work should receive a minimum compensation of Rs 20 lakh, while those with other disabilities caused by sewer cleaning should receive Rs 10 lakh.
- The court emphasized the need to completely eradicate manual scavenging and noted that the Union and state governments have a duty to ensure this practice is eliminated.
Manual scavenging is the practice of manually cleaning, handling, and disposing of human excreta and other waste materials from dry latrines, open drains, and sewers. It has been officially banned in India since 1993
