Supreme Court Bans Manual Scavenging in Six Cities in Writ Petition

Supreme Court Bans Manual Scavenging in Six Cities in Writ Petition
The Supreme Court has directed the Chief Executive Officers of six cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad—to file an affidavit detailing how and when manual scavenging will be fully stopped.

In the case Dr. Balram Singh Vs Union of India (2023), the Court instructed the Union Government to take effective steps to eliminate manual scavenging in a phased approach.

Manual Scavenging in India:

• Meaning: Manual scavenging refers to the manual cleaning, handling, or disposal of human excreta from dry latrines, drains, and other sanitation systems.
• Regulation: The practice has been officially banned since 1993 under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Prohibition Act.
• Despite the ban, the continued lack of proper sewage management systems and limited alternative livelihood opportunities contribute to the persistence of manual scavenging.

Current Status:
Out of 775 districts, 456 districts have successfully eradicated manual scavenging as of January 29, 2025.

Issues Associated with Manual Scavenging:

• Humanitarian Crisis: The practice violates basic human rights and dignity, exposing workers to serious health risks, harmful gases, and pathogens.
• Caste Link: The majority of manual scavengers belong to the Dalit community.

Reforms Needed:
Technological solutions (such as robots and cleaning machines), stronger law enforcement, and improvements in sanitation infrastructure are crucial to completely eliminate manual scavenging.

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