In a significant move towards eradicating the deplorable practice of manual scavenging in India, the Supreme Court has issued a compelling directive to both the Union Government and State Governments. Expressing deep concern over the persistence of this inhumane practice, the Supreme Court has taken a resolute stand to ensure its complete eradication.
Under the leadership of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar, the Supreme Court has issued a set of fourteen directives aimed at effectively implementing the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013. These directives are crucial steps towards eliminating manual scavenging and providing relief to the victims and their families.
One of the most notable directives is the increase in compensation for sewer deaths. The Court has directed that the compensation in cases of sewer deaths must be raised to a substantial sum of Rs. 30 lakhs. In cases of permanent disablement resulting from sewer operations, the compensation has been elevated to Rs. 20 lakhs, and for other forms of disablement, it must not be less than Rs. 10 lakhs.
Justice Bhat, while delivering the judgment in the case of Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India, emphasized the significance of this battle against manual scavenging. He quoted the words of Dr. Ambedkar, stating, “Ours is a battle not for wealth or power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for the reclamation of human personality.”
The judgment further underscored the constitutional commitments to equality and emancipation, particularly through Articles 15(2), 17, and 23 and 24. The Union and State Governments are duty-bound to ensure the complete eradication of manual scavenging and fulfill the promises enshrined in the Constitution and the 2013 Act.
The judgment invoked the value of dignity and fraternity as enshrined in the Constitution and emphasized the collective responsibility of all citizens to dispel the darkness that has trapped generations of people in inhumane conditions. It stressed that true fraternity and dignity are prerequisites for all other liberties, and the duty lies with all citizens to uphold these values.
The case of Dr. Balram Singh vs. Union of India is a significant milestone in the battle against manual scavenging. The Court has set a date for further monitoring of the matter on February 1, 2024, to ensure the effective implementation of these directives.
The exact details of the directives will be available once the judgment is uploaded for public access.
Title: “Supreme Court Takes Bold Steps to Eradicate Manual Scavenging and Boost Compensation for Sewer Deaths”
In a significant move towards eradicating the deplorable practice of manual scavenging in India, the Supreme Court has issued a compelling directive to both the Union Government and State Governments. Expressing deep concern over the persistence of this inhumane practice, the Supreme Court has taken a resolute stand to ensure its complete eradication.
Under the leadership of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar, the Supreme Court has issued a set of fourteen directives aimed at effectively implementing the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013. These directives are crucial steps towards eliminating manual scavenging and providing relief to the victims and their families.
One of the most notable directives is the increase in compensation for sewer deaths. The Court has directed that the compensation in cases of sewer deaths must be raised to a substantial sum of Rs. 30 lakhs. In cases of permanent disablement resulting from sewer operations, the compensation has been elevated to Rs. 20 lakhs, and for other forms of disablement, it must not be less than Rs. 10 lakhs.
Justice Bhat, while delivering the judgment in the case of Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India, emphasized the significance of this battle against manual scavenging. He quoted the words of Dr. Ambedkar, stating, “Ours is a battle not for wealth or power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for the reclamation of human personality.”
The judgment further underscored the constitutional commitments to equality and emancipation, particularly through Articles 15(2), 17, and 23 and 24. The Union and State Governments are duty-bound to ensure the complete eradication of manual scavenging and fulfill the promises enshrined in the Constitution and the 2013 Act.
The judgment invoked the value of dignity and fraternity as enshrined in the Constitution and emphasized the collective responsibility of all citizens to dispel the darkness that has trapped generations of people in inhumane conditions. It stressed that true fraternity and dignity are prerequisites for all other liberties, and the duty lies with all citizens to uphold these values.
The case of Dr. Balram Singh vs. Union of India is a significant milestone in the battle against manual scavenging. The Court has set a date for further monitoring of the matter on February 1, 2024, to ensure the effective implementation of these directives.
The exact details of the directives will be available once the judgment is uploaded for public access.
