Manual scavenging prohibited in Sohra Civil Sub Division

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 30, 2024

The Sub Divisional Officer (C), Sohra Civil Sub Division has directed that no person, local authority or any agency shall engage or employ, either directly of indirectly, any person for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank in the Sub Division.

The order was issued in pursuance of the order of the Hon’n Supreme Court of India in W.P. (Civil) No. 583 of 2003 & in accordance with “The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Acts, 2013” where the practice of Manual Scavenging has been abolished.

The SDO Civil informed no person local authority or any agency shall construct an insanitary latrine, or engage or employ, either directly or indirectly, a manual scavenger, and every person so engaged or employed shall stand discharged immediately from any obligation, express or implied, to do manual scavenging.

Contravention of the Act is punishable with imprisonment up to two years or with a fine up to two lakh rupees or with both for the first contravention. Any subsequent contravention is punishable with improvement up to five years or with fine up to five lakh rupees or with both.

All citizens are also requested to report cases of employment of person/s as manual scavengers to the nearest Police Station for registration of the case.