Samriddhi Sharma
Introduction
In India, an estimated 5 million full-time sanitation workers, with 2 million working in high-risk conditions. Now, this high-risk or hazardous cleaning is often associated with the work performed by sewers and septic tank cleaners (SafaiMitra). For instance work including emptying toilets, pits, and septic tanks; entering manholes and sewers to fix or unblock them; transporting fecal waste; working treatment plants; as well as cleaning public toilets or defecation around homes and businesses, its definition has multiple “hazards”, health, occupational, as well as environmental.
According to a report, in the last five years, as many as 347 people died while cleaning sewage tanks. Though the numbers have gone down and the government has been taking active steps towards mechanization and safety, adding another layer of rehabilitation.
The SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge
Launched on 19th November 2020 by Sri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, this major initiative under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), is a leap forward towards achieving zero fatality and a mechanised design in place and practice to deal with human waste.
Sri Hardeep Singh Puri, emphasized the initiative being aligned with the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban(U), a broader and more holistic initiative under the Government of India. Eradicating hazardous cleaning is at the core of the challenge. Promoting mechanized cleaning of sewers and septic tanks is a close second. Capacity building and empowerment of Safaimitras have featured as a top priority thus, this initiative holds immense value. The very symbolic launch on World Toilet Day should add impetus for greater and earnest participation by state actors, and citizens alike.
Some basics
Prerequisites for participation involve notifying the Responsible Sanitation Authority (RSA) and setting up the Sanitation Response Unit (SRU), plus possession of the ODF+ certification before applying. The use of personal protection equipment (PPE) items and gear has been made mandatory too. The key parameters to assess the performance includes empowerment of citizens, mechanisation of the work, capacity building, standardisation of septic tanks, and adoption of innovative approaches.
Key highlights of the initiative are as follows:
- Cities are awarded in three sub-categories: with a population of more than 10 lakhs, 3-10 lakhs, and up to 3 lakhs, with total prize money of Rs 52 crores to be given to winning cities across all categories. The top two performers (state/UTs) will be recognized through a citation + shield.
- A helpline number to register real-time complaints and suggestions has been set up. (Helpline number: 14420)
- The main focus will be on awareness-building, among the citizenry and infrastructure creation for mechanized cleaning and capacity-building of the workforce.
- Loan Melas have been added to the loop, where the Safaimitras can avail loans for the procurement of septic tank cleaning equipment/machines a step closer to mechanized cleaning. This is being supported by the MoHUA and organized by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC), the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the SSC.
- Also, major is the decision to design standard uniform designs, in collaboration with NIIFT Mohali and NIFT Gandhinagar, by the MoHUA.
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through the National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC) has also launched Skill Development Training for Safaimitras. With the training being based on the Recognition of Prior model, a total of 9,000+ have completed training.
- Through this, the government was able to identify 100 Lighthouse cities that were well equipped in terms of sanitation infrastructure and facilities.
This with other historic initiatives like the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act (1993) all have tried to render dignity and safety to workers engaged in this line of work through the new mechanization policy we can hope to see better performance and reach the goal of zero fatalities.
Swachh Amrit Mahotsav
A felicitation ceremony was hosted as a part of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 on 20 November 2021 by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), with the attendance of eminent guests.
President Kovind during the felicitation ceremony of the Swachh Bharat Mahotsav said that effective management of solid waste is essential to keep the cities clean. He also acknowledged the services rendered by Safaimitras and sanitation workers during the pandemic. The first batch of Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge winners was declared with Indore, Navi Mumbai, Nellore, and Dewas emerging as the top performers. In the state and UT categories, Chhattisgarh and Chandigarh came up as the winners. With cities actively participating we can surely hope for our
A Way Forward
As reiterated by the honorable Sri Hardeep Singh Puri falls not just under the commitment of the state and government authorities but calls for the active participation of our citizens. Holding responsibility and working towards a society free from the generational cycle of problems and fatal accidents faced by workers should be our priority. Introduction of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which comes under the government’s National Action Plan, plus other initiatives like NAMASTE and Safaimitra Surakshit Shehar are all concrete steps towards elimination of hazardous cleaning and setting up a mechanized system.
References
- Assam, Government. “SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge | Guwahati Municipal Corporation | Government of Assam, India.” SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge | Guwahati Municipal Corporation | Government of Assam, India, 15 Oct. 2022,
- PTI. “347 People Died While Cleaning Sewers, Septic Tanks in Last 5 Years: Centre.” – the Hindu, 19 July 2022
- Shri Hardeep Singh Puri Launches Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge Across 243 Cities. Press Information Bureau.
- MoHUA to Launch Awareness Campaign on SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge; Press Information Bureau.
- 500 Cities Declare Mechanized Sanitation. Press Information Bureau.
- REHABILITATION OF MANUAL SCAVENGERS. Press Information Bureau.
About the Author
Samriddhi Sharma, Research Intern, IMPRI
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