Pune: A few days ago, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) had sought an explanation from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) over allegations of manual cleaning of nullahs during pre-monsoon works. Now, the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has also requested the civic chief to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter.
NCSK letter to municipal commissioner
In a letter addressed to municipal commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi on Thursday, NCSK member Karam Singh Karma said the commission had received complaints, representations, photographs, and reports alleging that sanitation workers were deployed for sewer, drain, and nullah cleaning operations under hazardous conditions without adequate mechanisation, protective equipment, and statutory safeguards.
The commission noted that the allegations raised serious concerns over compliance with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and other safety regulations governing sanitation work.
Prima facie evidence of hazardous work
Karma stated that the material placed before the commission prima facie suggested that safai karamcharis were engaged in hazardous work without adequate safety gear. The commission also found the explanation submitted by PCMC’s deputy municipal commissioner (health) during a recent hearing on the issue to be unsatisfactory. It has asked the municipal commissioner to personally examine the allegations and submit a detailed report within two weeks.
Complaint by Sagar Charan
The complaint was filed by Sagar Charan, national legal advisor of the Akhil Bharatiya Safai Mazdoor Sangh, who alleged that the civic body and its contractors violated safety norms while carrying out pre-monsoon desilting operations. “I submitted around 25 to 30 complaints along with photographs and evidence to the commission over the last two to three months, highlighting that even basic safety gear was not being used by workers engaged in cleaning work,” he said.
Details sought by NCSK
The NCSK has also sought details regarding availability of safety equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, breathing apparatus and other protective gear, as well as information on safety training imparted to workers. In addition, the commission has asked the civic administration to conduct a special inquiry into the role of contractors involved in sanitation works and verify whether they are complying with statutory norms. The commission has suggested that contractors found violating the rules should face legal action and financial penalties of up to Rs 5 lakh.
Action against officials
In the letter, Karma stated that if inquiry reveals negligence, dereliction of duty, administrative lapses, misconduct, suppression of facts, failure of supervision or violation of statutory obligations by any official, including deputy municipal commissioner (health) Pradip Thengal, appropriate disciplinary, departmental and legal action should be initiated.
Earlier NCSC notice
Earlier, on June 12, the NCSC had also sought a report from the PCMC on similar allegations and warned that failure to furnish the required information within two weeks could result in summons being issued to civic officials for a personal appearance before the commission.
PCMC response
Municipal commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi told TOI that the civic body would constitute an inquiry committee to examine the allegations and submit a report to the commission. “Instructions have already been issued to the health department and contractors to ensure strict compliance with all safety norms and use of mechanised cleaning methods. They have been directed to exercise utmost caution and warned of action in case of any violation,” he said.
