Nearly 500 Manual Scavenging Deaths Since 2019: Centre

The central government reported that nearly 500 people died while cleaning sewers or septic tanks across the country since 2019. This disclosure emerged amid ongoing judicial scrutiny regarding the persistent use of manual scavenging despite statutory bans.

The Supreme Court recently issued notices to five states over manual scavenging deaths and warned of contempt proceedings against Chief Secretaries for failing to eradicate the practice. Sanitation workers also staged protests at Jantar Mantar to demand better safety equipment, strict enforcement of the law, and comprehensive rehabilitation.

While the government stated that no manual scavengers were identified in a fresh nationwide survey under the 2013 law, critics argue that the official data undercounts actual fatalities. The apex court's strict stance puts several state administrations under intense pressure to enforce statutory prohibitions and protect vulnerable sanitation workers.