How can the incidence of manual scavenging be completely eradicated in India

The Supreme Court emphasizes the duty of Union and State governments to eliminate manual scavenging.
To completely eradicate the incidence of manual scavenging in India, the following measures can be taken:
  • Strict enforcement of laws: The Union and State governments need to strictly enforce laws such as the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993, which prohibits manual scavenging.
  • Promotion of mechanization: Encouraging the use of modern technologies like sewer cleaning machines and robotic scavenging equipment can help eliminate the need for manual scavenging.
  • Provision of alternate livelihoods: Agrarian reforms and skill development programs can help manual scavengers find alternative sources of employment, ensuring their transition to dignified occupations.
  • Public awareness campaigns: Educating people about the inhumanity of manual scavenging and the importance of proper sanitation and waste management can help create social stigma against the practice.
  • Proper sanitation infrastructure: Construction of adequate toilets, provision of sewage systems, and promoting the use of maintenance-friendly designs can prevent the creation of situations that require manual scavenging.
Implementing these measures requires coordinated efforts from the government, civil society, and marginalized communities, alongside sustained commitment to address the social and economic factors contributing to manual scavenging.
Answered a year ago
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