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Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

Many manual scavenger deaths go unreported, some booked under different laws -Ashwini M Sripad

-The New Indian Express

BENGALURU: Sixty manual scavengers have died over the last 10 years while at work. The families of 23 victims were paid compensation ranging between `5 lakh and `10 lakh while 37 families are yet to be compensated, according to data available with the Social Welfare Department.

But the reality is that many cases either go unreported or are considered as unnatural deaths and booked under various Acts.

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act was promulgated in 2013. The following year, the Supreme Court had directed state governments to identify manual scavengers who died while on the job since 1993, and award compensation of `10 lakh to their dependents.

But many cases are booked under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act or Section 304A of IPC (causing death by negligence) and not under Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act. “This is one of the reasons why the victims’ families are not getting compensation despite the Supreme Court verdict,’’ said an official of the Social Welfare Department.

Referring to one such case, K B Obalesh of Scavengers Watchdog Committee said two manual scavengers -- Venkatesh and Manjunath -- died while cleaning a manhole in Shanthinivas Apartment complex at Yeshwanthpur in October 2016. “A case under Prevention of Atrocity Act was registered against the contractor. Venkatesh’s wife, who is pregnant, was promised `2.5 lakh by the contractor. We do not know if it has reached her,’’ he said.

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