## Policy Summary: Persistence of Manual Scavenging (Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1521)
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1521, concerning the persistence of manual scavenging, as answered on July 29, 2025, by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale.
The response affirms that manual scavenging is statutorily prohibited under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013), effective December 6, 2013. Engaging or employing individuals for manual scavenging is punishable under Section 8 of the Act, with penalties of imprisonment up to two years, a fine up to Rs. One Lakh, or both.
The Ministry reports that no instances of manual scavenging have been reported by States/UTs, nor have any deaths due to the lifting of human excreta from insanitary latrines been reported in the last five years.
While acknowledging the historical association of manual scavenging with specific communities, the Ministry asserts that manual scavenging is an occupation-based practice rather than caste-based. Caste-based data of identified manual scavengers is not maintained.
The Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) has been subsumed into the NAMASTE scheme. NAMASTE provides identified manual scavengers and their dependents with: one-time cash assistance; skill development training with stipend; upfront capital subsidy for self-employment projects and sanitation-related mechanized equipment purchase; and health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for social justice and empowerment.
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: An Indian law that prohibits manual scavenging and provides for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
Scheduled Castes: A group of historically disadvantaged castes in India recognized by the Indian Constitution.
Valmiki: A specific community within the Scheduled Castes, often associated with manual scavenging.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers: A scheme for providing rehabilitation to manual scavengers through self-employment opportunities.
NAMASTE Scheme: A scheme that subsumes the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers.
Ayushman Bharat Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana: A health insurance scheme providing coverage to eligible families in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTTON NO.1s21
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025
PERSISTENCE OF MANUAL SCAVENGING
1521. DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the practice of manual scavenging continues in several parts of the country despite
its statutory prohibition under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their
Rehabilitation Act, 2013;
(b) if so, the reasons for its persistence and the number of deaths reported during manual
scavenging in the last five years, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government acknowledges the disproportionately high representation of
Scheduled Castes, particularly Valmiki and related communities, among those engaged in
manual scavenging; and
(d) the steps taken to break the caste-based occupational linkage and ensure dignified altemative
livelihoods for affected communities?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a) &. (b): As per the "Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their
Rehabilitation Act,20l3 (MS Act,2013)" manual scavenging is a banned activity in the country
with effect from 6.12.2013. No person or agency can engage or employ any person for manual
scavenging from the above date. Any person or agency who engages any person for manual
scavenging in violation of the provisions of the MS Act,2013 is punishable under Section 8 of
the above Act, with imprisonment upto 2 years or fine upto Rs. One Lakh or both.
No report of the practice of manual scavenging has been received from StatesAJT.
No death has been reported due to Manual Scavenging which is lifting of human excreta from
Insanitary latrines.(c) & (d): Manual Scavenging work is an occupation based rather than caste based. Caste based
data of identified Manual Scavengers has not been maintained.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) is subsumed in
NAMASTE Scheme, it stipulates for provision of following to identified manual scavengers and
their dependents:-
i.
Onetime Cash Assistance.
ii.
Skill Development Training with stipend.
iii.
Upfront Capital Subsidy for Self Employment Projects and purchasing Sanitation related
Mechanised Equipments.
iv.
Health Insurance cover under "Ayushman Bharat Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana".
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