Mysuru: The department of Social Service Employment, Government of India is resurveying the number of manual scavengers and deaths while doing manual scavenging in the country. In Karnataka resurveying will be undertaken in six districts including Mysuru, said Manhar Valjibhai Zala, Chairman, National Commission for Safai Karmacharis.
During meeting with corporation officials and few district officials, commission chairperson inquired the authorities about manual scavenging and deaths in city and across the district. “According to Supreme Court direction, if any death is reported while doing manual scavenging, then the government should give Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the family members and provide a job to the dependents. Once the manual scavengers are identified, they will be given Rs 40,000 and they will be providing training on skill development, added Manhar.
Corporation officials informed the Chairman that only two deaths has occurred in the MCC limits over the last ten years and that manual scavenging has completely stopped.
However, drawing flak, pourakarmikas who were present said that that three months ago one manual scavenger had died in a village called Dura while performing his working.
Narayan, former chairman Karnataka State Safair Karmachari Commission welcomed the government’s initiative of conducting resurvey
“Manual scavenging is going on not only across the district but also in all the districts, especially in villages in the state. Though steps have been taken to eliminate manual scavenging, it has not been realised yet. Across the state, there are nearly 1500 manual scavengers and Kolar tops the list with nearly 500 manual scavengers,” he said.
Former Mayor Purushotham who also spoke on the occasion requested commission chairperson to take initiative in providing education to pourakarmiaks.
Further, the corporation is going to build a Kalyana Mantap for the Paurakarmikas at a cost of Rs 1 crore, at JP Nagar second stage. On Friday, foundation will be laid for the project.
