NEW DELHI: The ministry of social justice and empowerment informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that deaths of 308 persons in sewers and septic tanks have been reported betweeen 2018 to 2022. Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of cases at 52, followed by 46 in Uttar Pradesh and 40 in Haryana.
On the measures being taken to shift to mechanised cleaning methods in place of manual cleaning, minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Ramdas Athawale told Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) there are various components. This includes identification of sewer/septic tank workers and connecting them to welfare benefits like the health insurance benefits under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
On the measures being taken to shift to mechanised cleaning methods in place of manual cleaning, minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Ramdas Athawale told Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) there are various components. This includes identification of sewer/septic tank workers and connecting them to welfare benefits like the health insurance benefits under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
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Manual scavenging was banned in the country in 1993. However, as the government data shows, safai karamcharis continue to die in sewers and septic tanks. The Union Budget this year allotted about Rs 100 crore for their mechanisation. It’s a start but much more needs to be done and at a faster pace. Every life is precious.
He also said the process of extending NAMASTE to all urban local bodies of the country has been initiated. “The action plan will promote mechanisation and enterprise development by providing funding support and subsidy (capital + interest) to the sanitation workers to procure sanitation-related equipment,” the minister said.
