Review Meeting Held on Elimination and Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers in Shimla

Shimla, June 18: A district-level review meeting on the implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, was held under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner Sachin Sharma. The meeting reviewed measures taken to eliminate manual scavenging, rehabilitation efforts, and safety standards for sewer and septic tank cleaning workers.

The ADC directed departments and local bodies to strictly enforce the provisions of the Act and ensure that the inhumane practice of manual scavenging is completely eradicated. He emphasized the use of machines and safety equipment during sewer and septic tank cleaning operations and called for timely implementation of rehabilitation schemes to provide affected workers with dignified livelihoods.

Officials informed the meeting that 22 awareness camps have been organized across the district and vigilance and monitoring committees have been constituted at all sub-divisional levels to strengthen implementation and public awareness.