Gujarat ranks second in the country in the death of Safai Karamcharis in the last three decades: Why is the Human Rights Commission not taking action on Safai Karamcharis who die in inhuman practices?
• Inhuman and degrading practices like manual scavenging, cleaning of septic tanks, sewage are still prevalent in Gujarat.
• To completely stop the inhuman and degrading practice of manual scavenging in the local corporation-municipality: Provide adequate safety equipment and tools to the laborers involved in cleaning.
Criticizing the BJP government for its insensitivity, lack of will and callousness towards the dead workers in manual scavenging, cleaning of septic tanks, sewers, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Mr. Hiren Banker said that the inhuman practice of manual scavenging and wasteful practices, cleaning of septic tanks, sewers etc. It is the same even today in Gujarat. Cases of death of sanitation workers while cleaning underground drains and wells are coming to the fore in Gujarat. Three laborers died while cleaning drains in Bharuch, two people died while cleaning drains in Valsad’s Umargam, two laborers died due to gas leaking while cleaning underground drains in Rajkot. Despite so many deaths, why does the BJP government, boasting of modernity, not arrange for adequate safety equipment for cleaning? Are the poor and laborers not human beings? The BJP government has completely failed to provide alternative employment opportunities, provide financial assistance and create public awareness on the issue of manual scavenging. Gujarat has the second highest death toll of manual scavengers in the country in the last three decades . According to the central government survey, in the year 2018, 13,460 workers were identified in the country who were involved in cleaning drains and septic tanks, which doubled to 58,098 workers in the year 2019. In Gujarat, 105 labor families are involved in manual scavenging. Which is a very worrying fact. Why is the National Human Rights Commission not taking any action even after three decades of continuous death of labourers?
Due to poverty and lack of alternative employment opportunities, the number of deaths of workers involved in manual scavenging of drains and septic tanks has increased significantly over the past three decades in the state of Gujarat. When the citizens of Gujarat are losing their lives due to the dangerous practice of manual scavenging, then in a very sensitive and worrying manner, the BJP government should completely stop the inhuman and humiliating practice of manual scavenging in the local corporation-municipalities and Appropriate steps should be taken. For alternative employment and financial assistance to identified families, the Congress party demands that adequate safety gear and equipment be provided to workers involved in cleaning drains and septic tanks.
Number of laborers killed in manual scavenging, septic tank, drain cleaning in Krum state in last three decades
1 Tamil Nadu 218
2. Gujarat 136
3. Uttar Pradesh 105
4. Delhi 99
5 Maharashtra 41 (google translat )