The Hindu 14.12.2010
Local bodies asked to ban manual scavenging
| Violators will face imprisonment up to a year and a fine of Rs. 2, 000 |
J. Chandrakumar
SALEM: Collector J Chandrakumar has strictly told the officials from various local bodies in the district to ban manual scavenging in their towns and unions and enforce the provisions of the Manual Scavengers and Dry Latrine Construction (Prohibition) Act of 1993 in letter and spirit.
Private households
He told the officials at a meeting here on Monday that the inhuman practice of manual scavenging, if any in their localities, should be immediately discouraged and banned.
He further claimed that since a majority of the towns and cities had been undertaking the Underground Drainage scheme, necessary machinery would be used to clear the chocking in drainage channels.
He also warned the private households against engaging individuals to enter into their septic tanks for cleaning. Machines should be employed for sucking the waste and removing choking.
The ban should be strictly enforced in theatre halls, shopping complexes, wedding halls, hotels and other big business houses.
Machines
“Those who employ individuals for the work will be dealt with as per the law and if anything `serious happens,' the concerned would be prosecuted forthwith. He told the officials not to encourage individual scavenging and instead promote the machines for the purposes.
The Act stipulates imprisonment up to a year and fines up to Rs.2, 000 or both for those who are violating the same. Rights' activists say that manual scavenging is also considered violation of the fundamental rights of Article 14 (equality before law), Article 17 (abolition of untouchability) and Article 23 (right against exploitation).
Flood relief
The Collector also pointed out that the district had sought a sum of Rs 65 crore towards flood relief. Senior officials from the local bodies and Municipalities and others took part.
