National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media report on the plight of manual scavengers, including 30 women in Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) and a total of 12,737 identified in 13 States and Union Territories till January, 2017.
Terming it as the worst example of violation of right to life, dignity, equality and health care, the NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary of UP and Secretary, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The officials have been asked to submit detailed report in this regard along with steps taken/proposed to be taken to deal with the situation within six weeks. The officials will also explain about the measures for relief and rehabilitation of the victims.
The NHRC observed that in a civilized society where the government has passed laws like ‘Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, Untouchability Offence Act and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Caste (PoA) Act, women of a vulnerable Dalit community were still not able to get rid of the slur of carrying human excreta on their heads. It said that when the situatoon in Meerut (UP), which is in the National Capital Region, is what is seen then one can imagine the scenario in the other parts of the country.
Narrating the plight of 30 women manual scavengers in Radhna Inayatpur village of Mawana (Meerut), a media report carried on the 15th June, 2017, said that they were paid as little as Rs 10 to 50 pe month by a household to clean the dry latrines. It sai that these workers were given stale leftover food and worn-out clothes sometimes, as bonus.