Survey to rehabilitate manual scavengers on

Rachna Khaira

Tribune news Service

Jalandhar, May 15

The state on Tuesday began a national survey to identify and rehabilitate manual scavengers who are still engaged in servicing insanitary latrines, following directions of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in January.

The state will conduct the survey in four districts - Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib.

According to a recent report tabled in the Lok Sabha, Punjab is among the top five states to have the highest number of manual scavenging households. As per the data, Punjab till date has over 11,951 households that are dependent on manual scavenging.

Besides, the Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011 revealed that there are over 91 manual scavengers working in Punjab, a claim refuted by Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, who said the number could be more than what the Census had thrown up, especially in urban areas.

Dr Srikrishan, nodal officer for the survey in Jalandhar, said the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation would conduct the survey.

“After the identification of the manual scavengers, each one will be given a one-time rehabilitation grant of Rs 40,000 by the ministry,” he added.

While Anjana Sandhu, joint director, Welfare Department, has been appointed nodal officer for the state-level survey, the government has appointed four nodal officers in each district.

However, Bezwada Wilson, national convener of the Safai Karamcharis’ Sangathan, an NGO instrumental in eradication of manual scavenging, claimed that like yesteryears, this year too, the survey would be an eyewash.

The numbers

Households dependent on manual scavenging in Punjab: 11,951 

(As per report tabled in LS)  

Manual scavengers in the state: 91

(As per Socio Economic and Caste Census, 2011)