Safai Karamcharis still at bottom rung: NCSK

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mumbai, June 7 (UNI) Safai karmacharis or conservancy workers are at the bottom rung of development and are being continously exploited by contractors and NGOs alike, the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK).

Speaking on the issue of eradication of manual scavenging in India, NCSK Chairperson and former MP Santosh Choudhary, said that even after 60 years of Independence, Safai karmacharis are deprived of basic amenities, which is the minimum requirement for life.'' Despite proper allocation of fund by the Union government and direction from the Supreme Court, it seems the States are taking up responsibilities for the most essential but downtrodden strata of the society, she said.

''The government has set the target to eradicate manual scavenging by March 2009, but it is only possible if all the States take necessary remedial steps for their rehabilitation and provide them better quality of life,'' she added.

According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), collecting data through surveys is essential to gauge the extent of the problem and to meet the 2007 deadline envisaged by the National Action Plan for total eradication of manual scavenging.

Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Manipur, Rajasthan, West Bengal and the Union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshwadeep and Puducherry have not adopted the Act.

While Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have not informed the commission whether they have abolished the practice or not.

UNI

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