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Tuesday, September 2, 2025
TopicManual Scavenging

Topic: Manual Scavenging

NHRC takes suo motu cognizance after 3 workers die of asphyxiation cleaning a sewage tank in TN

The commission has taken notice of the fact that the workers died after entering a sewage tank without any protective gear at a private industrial unit in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district.

Kerala start-up is putting an end to manual scavenging—with a robot

Nearly 300 units of Bandicoot robots have been deployed in 19 states and three Union Territories across India – from Mohali to Maha Kumbh.

NHRC holds open house discussion on rights of manual scavengers

NHRC chairperson Justice (Retd) V. Ramasubramanian, expressed concern over the continuing deaths of sanitation workers despite legal provisions aimed at eradicating the practice.

SubscriberWrites: The Legality and illegality of human excreta

From sewage worker to climate leader, Rana Dagore’s journey showcases resilience, growth, and advocacy, raising questions about the legality of manual scavenging in modern India.

One-time cash aid of Rs 40,000 each, loans — what’s on Karnataka’s action plan for manual scavengers

Officials claim those identified as manual scavengers may not be practising & govt aid is to remove stigma. But experts say it is still prevalent due to poor infra in urban, rural areas.

No plan to amend manual scavenging law, govt says 6 months after announcing new bill

The new bill is still awaiting cabinet approval. It proposes to completely mechanise the process of cleaning sewers and septic tanks, among other changes.

Govt app to flag manual scavenging gets 900 uploads from public in 3 months, most from UP

'Swachhata Abhiyan' app launched in December will operate till May. Social justice ministry hopes to identify undocumented manual scavengers for rehabilitation.

As draft law awaits Cabinet approval, govt begins groundwork to mechanise sewer cleaning

Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, proposes to completely mechanise the process of cleaning sewers and septic tanks.

Why manual scavengers in India haven’t got their rights despite laws, judiciary intervention

The absence of a statutory obligation to provide sanitation services by state agencies creates a situation where the rights of manual scavengers hang in the air.

282 deaths in last 4 years: How Swachh Bharat Mission failed India’s manual scavengers

Number of manual scavengers in India had come down from nearly 8 lakh in 2003 to about 13,000 in 2013. But despite Swachh Bharat, this figure shot up to 42,303 in 2018.

On Camera

India has 30 days to pull off fast reform. Hold crash meeting of Centre & state

In India, we are accustomed to glacial change. We love appointing Committees to ‘look into’ reform. Unfortunately for us, the rest of the world moves fast.

A Rs 33,000 cr ‘banking fraud’: ED’s case against Arvind Dham, Amtek’s web of ‘500 shell companies’

ED has accused Amtek promoter Arvind Dham of controlling web of nearly 500 shell companies operating as a layered structure, with up to 15 levels of indirect ownership, to divert funds.

‘Real-time, all-climate’ explosives detector could enhance airport & border security—no dogs, no swabs

Bengaluru-based CeNS designs accurate, portable, and cheap sensor using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. It could significantly reduce risks at vulnerable choke points. 

For Indian Mercedes, Asim Munir’s dumper truck in mirror is closer than it appears

From Munir’s point of view, a few bumps here and there is par for the course. He isn’t going to drive his dumper truck to its doom. He wants to use it as a weapon.