Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment addresses the ongoing issue of manual scavenging despite the "Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013." While manual scavenging is banned since December 6, 2013, deaths persist due to hazardous cleaning practices. The "National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)" scheme, launched in 2023-24, aims to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.
Key Points / Main Content:
Legal Prohibition:
* Manual scavenging is illegal in India as of December 6, 2013, under the "Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013)."
* Engaging or employing individuals for manual scavenging is punishable with imprisonment up to 2 years or a fine up to Rs. One Lakh, or both.
NAMASTE Scheme:
* The "National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)" scheme, launched in 2023-24, targets all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
* It focuses on the safety and dignity of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) through social and economic empowerment.
* Provisions include:
* Distribution of PPE Kits and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB PMJAY) cards.
* Occupation safety training for SSWs.
* Safety devices to Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs).
* Upfront Capital Subsidy for sanitation-related machinery to sanitation workers and their groups of maximum five persons.
* Workshops on preventing hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Advisory:
* Issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for sewer/septic tank cleaning.
* Provided advisory for technical and managerial interventions via Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSU).
* Released a Ready Reckoner for ULBs to ensure sanitation worker safety.
* Organizing Safaimitra Suraksha Shivirs nationwide through ULBs for health checkups and linkage to social welfare schemes.
Impact Analysis:
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs):
* Impact: ULBs are central to implementing the NAMASTE scheme and advisories for safe cleaning practices.
* Action Required: Implement NAMASTE, follow SOPs, utilize the Ready Reckoner, establish ERSUs, and organize Safaimitra Suraksha Shivirs.
Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs):
* Impact: Aims to improve their safety, dignity, social standing, and economic condition.
* Action Required: Participate in safety training, utilize PPE kits and safety devices, apply for AB PMJAY cards, and avail of capital subsidies for sanitation machinery.
Government (both Central and State/UT):
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing the MS Act, 2013, and monitoring the implementation of NAMASTE.
* Action Required: Enforce the ban on manual scavenging, monitor deaths related to hazardous cleaning, and ensure convergence between different ministries for effective implementation of the scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for social justice and empowerment, which addressed the question regarding rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: An Indian law that prohibits manual scavenging and aims to rehabilitate those engaged in it.
Ramdas Athawale: The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment who provided the answer to the question about manual scavenging.
National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem NAMASTE: A scheme launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to ensure the safety and dignity of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The Indian government ministry that has launched NAMASTE Scheme in convergence with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and issued advisories for safe cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
Urban Local Bodies ULBs: Local government bodies in urban areas responsible for implementing sanitation schemes and ensuring the safety of sanitation workers.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna AB PMJAY: A health insurance scheme that provides coverage to sewer and septic tank workers, mentioned in the context of the NAMASTE Scheme.
Emergency Response Sanitation Units ERSUs: Units equipped with safety devices to respond to sanitation emergencies, mentioned in the context of the NAMASTE Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF'SOCIAL JUSTICE AI\D EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTTON NO.2740
TO BE AI\SWERE,D ON 05.08.2025
REHABILITATION OF HUMAI\S ENGAGED IN MANUAL SCAVENGING
?T4O.SHRITRBAALU:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AI\D EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Govemment is aware of the fact that manual scavenging has been "eradicated
mostly in name" and the workers still known as "safai Karamcharis/Sanitation workers" and their
glsly deaths while cleaning sewers, due to lack of robust implementation of the 2013 Prohibition
of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act;
(b) if so, the steps proposed by the Government to acknowledge their rehabilitation to live life
with dignity by enforcing the law firmly; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a) to (c): As per provision of the "Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their
Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013)" manual scavenging is a banned activity in the country
with effect ftom 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 turder 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 or of death occuring due to manual scavenging
has been received from StatesAJT.
Deaths have occurred in StatesAJTs due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks and
non-observance of safety precautions as prescribed under the "Prohibition of Employment as
Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act,2013 and MS Rules, 2013" as well as Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.To tackle hazardous cleaning of Sewer and Septic Tank, Department of Social Justice and
Empowerment in convergence with Minisfiry of Housing and Urban Affairs has'launched the
"National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)" Scheme in 2023'24 for
implementation in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the country. The objective is to ensure
safety and dignity of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and empower them socially and
economically.
The scheme envisages provision of :-
. Distribution of PPE Kits and Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna )AB-
PMJAY) cards and occupation safety training to the sewer and septic tank workers.
.
Safety devices to Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs)
. Upfront Capital Subsidy for sanitation related machinery to sanitation workers and their
groups of maximum five Persons'
. Organising Workshops on prevention of hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks.
In addition, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has also issued the following advisory for
safe cleaning of sewer and septic tanks:-
l. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for cleaning of Sewer or Septic tank'
ii. Advisory for technical and managerial interventions for ensuring safety during sewer and
septic tank cleaning through Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU)'
iii. Ready Reckoner for Urban Local Bodies for ensuring safety of sanitation workers.
iv. Organising Safaimitra Straksha Shivirs nationwide through ULBs to provide health
checkups and tinkage to social welfare schemes.
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