Chairing the third Central Monitoring Committee, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot stressed on the implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The Act aims at eradication of manual scavenging in its various manifestations and comprehensive rehabilitation of the identified manual scavengers.
During a review meet, different issues related to manual scavengers and their rehabilitation was discussed. The minister was informed that 5.16 lakh <g data-gr-id="21">insanitary</g> latrines had been identified and a survey on this was is in progress. The Central Monitoring Committee was also apprised about <g data-gr-id="22">identification</g> of 12,753 manual scavengers in 30 states, mostly in urban <g data-gr-id="23">areas,</g> while identification of manual scavengers in rural areas is in progress.
“The process of disbursing one-time cash assistance to identified manual scavengers has been initiated. Based on the proposals received from the states, one-time cash assistance Rs 40,000 each has been released to 5,152 identified manual <g data-gr-id="31">scavengers,</g> while details in this regard have been received from seven states,” Gehlot said. He <g data-gr-id="29">added</g> in addition, <g data-gr-id="27">proposal</g> for comprehensive rehabilitation of 97 manual scavengers in West Bengal has been approved and necessary fund released for implementation.
At the CMC meet, the states of Tamil Nadu and Punjab have informed that the cases of deaths while cleaning sewers/septic tanks have been identified and compensation paid to the family members of victims. Gehlot asked all states to expedite the implementation of the Act and also to make the payment of Rs 10 lakh compensation in the cases of sewer deaths which have occurred since 1993, as per the guidelines of Supreme Court.