In News:

The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that a fresh nationwide survey conducted under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 found no manual scavengers.

Key Findings

A nationwide survey was conducted to assess the implementation of measures aimed at eliminating manual scavenging and improving the welfare of sanitation workers.

• No manual scavengers were identified under the provisions of the MS Act, 2013.
• 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) have been validated under the NAMASTE Scheme.
• Mechanisation of sanitation work is being promoted through Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), occupational safety training, Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), and mechanised sewer-cleaning equipment.
• Sanitation workers are provided health insurance, capital subsidy for sanitation machinery, and support for workers, their collectives, and Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs).
• Under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, mechanised cleaning of sewers and septic tanks is being promoted under the Used Water Management component to eliminate hazardous manual entry.

Significance

• Promotes the replacement of hazardous manual cleaning with mechanised sanitation, enhancing worker safety and dignity.
• Strengthens rehabilitation, social security, and occupational welfare measures for sanitation workers.
• Supports the objective of eliminating hazardous manual scavenging while improving urban sanitation systems.