The recent deaths of manual scavengers in the national Capital has come under the scanner of the Delhi High Court, which on Monday sought a time-bound implementation of the procedure for cleaning sewers and septic tanks.
A Bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sunil Gaur was informed by the Delhi Government that the lieutenant Governor has recently set up a committee to examine various measures for the implementation of ‘The Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013’ and rules. The court asked the three municipal corporations, Delhi Jal Board, Public Works Department, Delhi Cantonment Board, New Delhi Municipal Council and the divisional railway manager of Northern Railway to implement the procedure and to give a time frame within which it would be accomplished. “You need to constitute rules and methodology,” the bench said and listed the matter for September 27.
The Government’s counsel said the committee will have the mandate to prepare an action plan for cleaning of drains, sewer lines and septic tanks through mechanical means.