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Is it legal to employ a Manual Scavenger?

Last updated on Jun 22, 2022

No, it is illegal to employ someone as a manual scavenger in India. It is also unlawful for anyone (including municipalities and panchayats) to employ any person for the cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank without the necessary protective gear.

People who do so face the following repercussions.

Employing someone as a manual scavenger

The punishment for employing a manual scavenger, for a first-time offence is jail time up to one year as well as a fine up to Rs.50,000. If someone commits the offence again, then the punishment is jail time up to two years and a fine up to Rs.1,00,000.

Employing a person for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank

The punishment for employing a person for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or septic tank for a first-time offence is jail time up to 2 years and a fine up to Rs. 2,00,000. If someone commits the offence again, then the punishment is jail time is up to 5 years and fine up to Rs. 5,00,000.

A company employing someone as a manual scavenger

When a company commits the offence of manual scavenging, not only will it be considered guilty of the crime, but so will any employees of that company who allowed the offence to take place. This can include directors, managers, secretaries, and other officers of the company.

For more information, visit the website of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis.

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Related Resources

How can Manual Scavengers be rehabilitated?

The Municipality and the Panchayat have a duty to rehabilitate those involved in manual scavenging based on the list prepared from survey.

Who is a Manual Scavenger?

A manual scavenger is employed to handle undecomposed human waste from an insanitary latrine, open drain or pit or railway track.

Is building an Insanitary Latrine unlawful?

Constructing an insanitary latrine is unlawful and an offence under the Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

Who is responsible for Demolishing or Converting an Insanitary latrine?

The person who occupies the property on which an ‘insanitary latrine’ exists has to demolish or convert it.

How to file a complaint for Safai Karamcharis?

If laws for safai karamcharis are not followed, you can file a complaint to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK).

Reporting a Crime/Atrocity

If a crime has been committed against you due to your identity as member of the SC/STs, you can approach several places for immediate relief.