Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Rights of the Vulnerable
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Central and State Governments through a series of personal interventions by the Chairperson of
NHRC. The Central Government notified the Employment of Manual Scavengers and
Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 on 24 January, 1997.
10.11 In keeping with the Prime Minister’s announcement, the Planning Commission formulated
a National Action Plan for total Eradication of Manual Scavenging by 2007. The salient features
of the Plan are :-
1. Identification of Manual Scavengers
2. The 1993 Act should be adopted by all the States where manual scavenging exists
3. Involvement of NGOs
4. Ministry of Finance should issue necessary instructions to Nationalized Banks for
providing loans
5. Incentives for Implementation
10.12 The NHRC has been monitoring the following action points: -
1. Adoption of the Employment of Manual Scavengers & Construction of Dry Latrines
(Prohibition) Act, 1993.
2. Carry out Survey to identify the number of Scavengers and their dependents.
3. Imparting of training to the identified Scavengers.
4. Rehabilitation under the prescribed funding pattern.
5. Making provision in building by-laws not to sanction new building without provision of
pour flush latrines.
10.13 As decided in the last meeting held in the Commission, the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment convened a meeting on 26.07.2004 with the representative of the concerned
Ministries/Departments/Organisations. Concluding the Action Plan, it was decided that the
National Action Plan is to be implemented in a time-bound manner so as to ensure eradication
of manual scavenging by 2007. The pace of progress has however been slow. It was observed
that as per the discussion, following actions are to be taken expeditiously for timely
implementation of the National Action Plan:-
i) Survey of manual scavengers is to be conducted in a time-bound manner;
ii) The scheme of ILCS is to be modified urgently to make suitable provision for providing
funds to the State for conducting surveys;
iii) The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines Act. 1993 to
be transferred from Ministry of Urban Development to Ministry of UEPA;
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