Context: The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that a fresh nationwide survey under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 found no manual scavengers.
About No Manual Scavengers Identified in Fresh Survey:
What It Is?
- A nationwide survey conducted under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) to identify manual scavengers and assess the implementation of measures aimed at eliminating manual scavenging and improving sanitation workers’ welfare.
Key Findings:
- No Manual Scavengers Identified: The fresh survey across all districts reported no manual scavengers under the provisions of the MS Act, 2013.
- 89,915 Workers Validated: A total of 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) have been validated under the NAMASTE Scheme.
- Mechanisation Measures Expanded: Workers are being supported through PPE kits, occupational safety training, safety devices for ERSUs, and mechanised sanitation equipment.
- Social Security Benefits: The scheme provides health insurance, capital subsidies for sanitation machinery, and support to sanitation workers, their groups, and Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs).
- SBM-U 2.0 Support: Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 promotes mechanised sewer and septic tank cleaning under its Used Water Management component to eliminate hazardous manual entry.
Significance:
- Strengthens efforts to replace hazardous manual cleaning with mechanised sanitation, improving workers’ safety and dignity.
- Supports rehabilitation, occupational welfare, and social protection for sanitation workers through targeted interventions.
- Reinforces safe sanitation systems and contributes to the elimination of hazardous manual scavenging across India.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
- GS Paper II:
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- Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections, Social Justice, Government Policies and Interventions.
- GS Paper III:
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- Sustainable Development, Urban Infrastructure and Science & Technology in Public Service Delivery
- GS Paper IV:
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- Human Dignity, Social Justice and Ethics in Public Administration
