Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman Raghu has ordered action against officials following a manual scavenging incident at the Engineers' Association premises. On Monday, Raghu visited the site, inspected the location, listened to workers' grievances, and gathered information from officials. He later chaired a meeting at the deputy commissioner's office to address the issue.
Inspection and Grievances
During his visit, Raghu examined the conditions under which sanitation workers were operating. He noted that manual scavenging, which is prohibited under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, was still being practiced. Workers reported that they had been forced to clean sewers without proper protective gear or safety equipment. Raghu assured them that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
Meeting with Officials
At the meeting in the deputy commissioner's office, Raghu reviewed the incident in detail. He questioned officials about their failure to prevent the practice and demanded an explanation. According to sources, he expressed strong displeasure over the lack of enforcement of the law. He directed the deputy commissioner to file a report within 24 hours and to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the erring officials.
Legal and Social Impact
The Commission chairman emphasized that manual scavenging is a dehumanizing practice that violates the constitutional rights of workers. He reiterated that the state government has a zero-tolerance policy towards such incidents. The engineers' association, where the incident occurred, has been asked to cooperate with the investigation. Raghu also called for a comprehensive survey to identify other potential sites where manual scavenging might be occurring.
According to the Commission, this incident highlights systemic failures in implementing the law. The chairman urged the district administration to ensure that all sewer cleaning is done using mechanized equipment. He also announced that the Commission would monitor the case closely to ensure justice for the affected workers.
