Saturday, Apr 20, 2024 | Last Update : 10:51 AM IST
NCSK seeks adequate safety of workers
It argued that thousands of workers have been deprived of government schemes as they failed to show the certificate.
Mumbai: National Commission for Safai Karamacharis (NCSK) on Friday urged the state government to resolve long pending issues relating to conservancy workers — manual scavengers employed by urban local bodies.
Addressing a press conference at Mantralaya, Dilip K. Hathibed, member of the commission, said that the state government must ensure that conservancy workers enter into the sewage with safety gears.
“We have asked the government to ensure zero deaths in sewers,” Mr Hathibed said, noting that at least 25 workers have died in as many years.
An NCSK official added that it has directed the state government to invoke the Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 to arrest the contractor whenever any death occurs while cleaning the sewage lines.
Moreover, the commission urged the state government to conduct regular health check ups.
While pushing for mechanisation of cleaning, the commission claimed that the urban development department is likely to complete the process in three years.
Meanwhile, the commission has also directed the government to stop seeking caste validity certificate from workers. It argued that thousands of workers have been deprived of government schemes as they failed to show the certificate.
“If the state wants the certificate, it should approach the local civic bodies,” he said.
