New Delhi: Regretting the prevalence of
manual scavenging, the Government on Monday asked the states to
eradicate the "shameful practice" by the end of the 11th plan
period.
Despite various efforts made by the Central Government
and the states, the practice of manual scavenging still exist
in some parts of the country, Social Justice and Empowerment
Mukul Wasnik said.
Inaugurating a consultation meeting on eradication of
manual scavenging and rehabilitation of manual scavengers here
today, he said the National Advisory Council (NAC) had
recently recommended monitoring implementation of the law
relating to the employability of the manual scavengers at the
highest level of the Central and State governments.
It will also monitor the progress in abolition of
manual scavenging on a quarterly basis.
He said a survey conducted by Safai Karamchari Andolan
(SKA) has provided the Government a list of 4,833 persons
still engaged in the practice of manual scavenging in 14
states.
"We have already requested the concerned State
Government to take immediate steps for their rehabilitation in
alternative occupations," the Minister said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 24, 2011, 21:58