Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India

Source: The post Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India has been created, based on the article “Express investigation of manual scavenging: The apathy must end” published in “Indian Express” on 3rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: The article highlights the continued practice of manual scavenging in India despite legal bans and safety mandates. Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India? It discusses government failures, lack of accountability, and the social inequalities that force marginalized workers into hazardous sewer-cleaning jobs, risking their lives.

What is the Current Status of Manual Scavenging in India?

1. Manual scavenging is officially banned in India since 1993, but the practice persists.
2. The 2013 law mandates 44 types of protective gear for workers cleaning sewers, yet compliance is poor.
3. Between 2018 and 2023, 443 workers died while cleaning septic tanks and sewers, according to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
4. Enforcement is weak, with only one conviction for 75 sewer deaths in Delhi over 15 years.
5. Municipalities deny the practice and often fail to provide safety equipment.
6. Private contractors avoid accountability by not keeping proper records.
7. Many deaths occur in prominent locations, such as malls and hospitals in Delhi.

Why do government efforts fail?

1. The Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act (2013) and Supreme Court orders have not been implemented effectively.
2. Civil society groups highlight caste-based discrimination, economic inequalities, and poor sewerage infrastructure as reasons.
3. Machines are often too large for narrow urban lanes, forcing manual work.

For detailed information on Manual Scavenging read this article here

What Needs to Be Improved?

The government needs to strengthen enforcement of existing laws, hold contractors and local bodies accountable, and address the social issues that force people into this dangerous work. The success of initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission should also include the safety and well-being of sewer workers.

Question for practice:

Examine the reasons for the persistence of manual scavenging in India despite legal bans and government efforts.