The Hindu 14.12.2010
Local bodies asked to ban manual scavenging
Special Correspondent
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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.