This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding manual scavenging, specifically focusing on its prevalence, actions taken against violations, and rehabilitation efforts.
**Key Findings & Actions:**
* **Prevalence:** The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reports receiving no current reports of manual scavenging practices from states.
* **Delhi Allegations:** The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi claims that contracted work involves routine desilting of storm water drains, and therefore does not violate "The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013".
* **Legal Framework:** Manual scavenging has been banned in India since December 6, 2013, under "The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013)". Violators face imprisonment up to 2 years, a fine up to Rs. One Lakh, or both, as per Section 8 of the Act.
* **Rehabilitation Efforts:** Two surveys conducted in 2013 and 2018 identified 58,098 eligible manual scavengers. The Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), now under the NAMASTE scheme, provides:
* One-time Cash Assistance.
* Skill Development Training with stipend.
* Upfront Capital Subsidy for Self Employment Projects and purchasing Sanitation related Mechanised Equipments.
* Health Insurance coverage under ABPMJAY.
* **Monitoring:** Central, State, and District level committees monitor the implementation of the MS Act, 2013.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for social justice and empowerment, under which this question was raised in Lok Sabha.
SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question No.2546 in Lok Sabha.
National Capital Territory of Delhi: A state in India, allegations of engaging manual scavengers were raised against its government.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment who provided the answer to the question.
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: The primary legislation in India banning manual scavenging and providing for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers; also referred to as MS Act, 2013.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers: A scheme (SRMS), now subsumed in NAMASTE scheme, aimed at providing financial assistance and support for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
NAMASTE: The scheme that now includes the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).
ABPMJAY: Health Insurance coverage under ABPMJAY for identified manual scavengers and their dependents
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
f
MII\ISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWER]VIENT
LOK SABHA
TJNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2546
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2025
STATUS OF MAI\TUAL SCAVENGERS AI\D ACTION ON VIOLATIONS
2546. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AI\D EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the number of persons presently engaged in manual scavenging in the country, Statewise;
(b) whether the Government is aware that the Government of the National Capital Territory of
Delhi has engaged manual scavengers for sewer or septic-tank cleaning work and has posted
such activities on social media and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the action taken or proposed/to be taken against the agencies or officials responsible for
employing manual scavengers in Delhi, including any penalties imposed and rehabilitation
measures provided to the affected workers; and
(d) the measures adopted by the Union Government to eliminate manual scavenging nationwide,
promote mechanised cleaning, rehabilitate identified manual scavengers and monitor compliance
by State and local authorities?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a): No report of the practice of manual scavenging has been received from States/[JT.
(b) & (c): dovernment of National Capital Territory of Delhi has informed that they
have contracted for the routine desilting of storm water drains. Hence, the provisions of the
"Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act,
2013)" are not athacted.
(d): 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 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 2years or fine upto Rs. One Lakh or both.:
J fwo surveys for identification of Manual Scavengers have been conducted in 2013 and 2018
and 58,098 eligible manual scavengers have been identified.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), now subsumed in
NAMASTE scheme, stipulates for provision of following to identified manual scavengers and
their dependents:-
i.
One-time 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 coverage under AB-PMJAY.
Central Monitoring Commiuee, State Monitoring Committee and District Vigilance Committees
constituted under the provisions of MS Act,2013, monitor the implementation of MS Act,20l3.
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