Despite nationwide ban, 10 manual scavengers died in city since 2010.

Times of India: Chennai: Monday, April 18, 2016.

Although manual scavenging has been banned in the country, Metrowater continues to flout the law by sending workers down manholes and sewage pits, sometimes to their deaths, in a bid to cut costs or make up for lack of equipment. As many as ten manual scavengers, including six contract workers, employed by Metrowater died at work in Chennai since 2010, an RTI application reveals.

In response to the application filed by OnlineRTI.com, Metrowater, which is responsible for cleaning sewerage lines in the city, said three people died in sewers while doing this job during 2011-12, one in 2012-13, two in 2013-14, three in 2014-15 and one in 2015-16 (till February). The reply said Metrowater spent Rs 1 crore over the last five years as compensation to the families of the victims. The RTI request also disclosed that Metrowater has just 142 jet rodding machines against the required 200. This shortage could be the reason for its dependence on humans to clean sewerage lines.

However, the actual number of deaths of manual scavengers in the city could be more as the RTI reply is only related to manual scavengers employed by Metrowater. Activists say other government agencies including Greater Chennai Corporation, individuals and private firms also employ manual scavengers. For instance, four men, including three members of a family, died of asphyxiation while cleaning a septic tank at a restaurant in Thoraipakkam on OMR on January 20 this year.

Manual scavenging was banned in the country under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition Act), 1993. The law was extended in 2003 to cover people working in sewer lines and septic tanks. Further, the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, states that no person, local authority or any agency shall engage or employ, either directly or indirectly, any person for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank.

According to government records, there are only 458 manual scavengers in the state including 252 in Chennai. But the actual number could be more, say activists. Bezwada Wilson, national convenor of the NGO Safai Karmachari Andolan, says, "This is a blatant violation of the Act. It is unfortunate that a government agency, which is supposed to enforce the ban, continues to force workers to enter sewer lines without any safety precautions."