The Hindu : New Delhi News : Revised time-frame for rehab of scavengers lauded

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Sunday, Feb 21, 2010
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Revised time-frame for rehab of scavengers lauded

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak has lauded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for approving a revised time-frame for complete rehabilitation of manual scavengers by March this year.

“This move will help in ending the shameful practice. We will be lending full support to the Government in meeting the target and extend help in complete rehabilitation of those involved in manual scavenging,” said Mr. Pathak.

“Manual scavenging of human excreta was banned in 1993 by a law that also prohibited use of the unplumbed toilets that necessitate it. However, a large number of people, mostly women, are still engaged in the inhuman tasks of removing and transporting night soil. I hope the Government will be able to meet the target and completely end this centuries-old inhuman practice. The Government should ensure proper rehabilitation of these people and also promote construction of pucca toilets, particularly in rural areas,” Mr. Pathak added.

Extending full help and support of Sulabh International to the Government in achieving sanitation targets, Mr. Pathak said they have so far made two districts in Rajasthan – Alwar and Tonk – totally free from scavenging and in rehabilitating those involved in it.

“We have so far liberated more than a million scavengers across the country. It is estimated that around 40,000 more such people are involved in this job across India. We plan to adopt more cities and districts and making them scavenging-free.”

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