Meghalaya Government reaffirms ban on manual scavenging
The Meghalaya government has issued a stern reminder that the practice of manual scavenging remains illegal and punishable by law. In a news statement dated August 29, 2024, the Sohra Civil Sub Division's Sub Divisional Officer stressed the need to uphold the "Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013."
The announcement makes it clear that "no person, local authority or any agency shall construct an insanitary latrine, or engage or employ, either directly or indirectly, a manual scavenger." It also makes it clear that anyone who has previously been engaged in this kind of job "shall stand discharged immediately from any obligation, express or implied, to do manual scavenging." This reaffirmation seeks to end the cruel practice of manually cleaning...