New Delhi, December 11
The Supreme Court today directed the Center to file an action report on compliance with the directives to completely phase out ‘manual’ sewage treatment.
A bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Arvind Kumar asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, represented by the Centre, to convene meetings of the Central Vigilance Committee with all stakeholders within two weeks. The Committee reviews the implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013).
The bench said, “The order passed by the court (in 2023) said that in view of the development of technology, it is entirely possible to eliminate ‘manual scavenging’ and employment for laborers for cleaning sewers.” This has not been done. It seems from the report that a lot needs to be done.” -News-Patiala