Supreme Court orders ending manual scavenging in 6 metro cities
What's the story
The Supreme Court of India has ordered an immediate end to manual scavenging in six major metropolitan cities. The cities covered under this directive are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The ruling was passed by a bench headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia who has directed municipal commissioners and chief executive officers of these cities to submit affidavits explaining their compliance with this order by February 13.
Ongoing issue
Court expresses concern over continued manual scavenging
The next hearing on this matter has been scheduled for February 19. This latest directive comes after a judgment in October 2023, when the court urged states and Union Territories to eliminate manual scavenging. However, despite these orders, incidents of manual scavenging continue to take place as was highlighted by a recent event in Delhi where two people lost their lives while cleaning a sewer.
Legal action
Court's response to persistent manual scavenging incidents
Reacting to these incidents, Justice Dhulia said, "A well-considered order was passed by us and look at what is happening. People are still dying...We are of the considered opinion that time has come now to pass directions." Senior advocate K Parmeshwar, appearing as amicus curiae, noted that although the next affidavits may demonstrate compliance with the court's order, concerns remain due to incomplete data from states.
Data discrepancy
Data gaps and state responsibilities in sanitation highlighted
The Union government stated that of 775 districts in India, 465 have been declared "manual scavenging-free," but data from 310 districts is still awaited. Additional solicitor general (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union government, stated that sanitation is a state subject and that coordinated meetings with chief secretaries and district magistrates will be held to ensure compliance with court orders.
Litigation impact
Public interest litigation leads to court's decision
The court's decision was based on a public interest litigation filed by Balram Singh, demanding surveys of manual scavengers and compensation for deaths in the profession. The October 2023 ruling had ordered ₹30 lakh compensation for families of those who die while cleaning sewers. In December last year, the court reiterating its commitment, saying, "This is a question of human dignity. It is a matter close to our hearts. We will go to any extent to implement it."