---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shiva Shankar <sshankar@cmi.ac.in>
Date: Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Subject: Corporation workers forced to handle sewage
To:
Cc: Ananth Narayanan <paadam.pm@gmail.com>
If you wish to participate in the war against manual scavenging that is prevalent everywhere in India - certainly wherever there is a railway station - please contact Mr.A.Narayanan (at the email address above) who has moved every court (including the Supreme Court) to implement the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.
---------------------
Dear All,
Thanks to New Indian Express for highlighting this issue that will refuse to go for another 50 years, not certainly by year 2023, unless all stakeholders decide to change our present attitude drastically and show missionary zeal and purpose to nation building. We should hate ourselves for the laid back attitude. But, for this to happen, the Government should be willing to lead the people as if time is running out.
A.Narayanan
----------------------
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article564583.ece?service
Manual scavenging: Activists seek strict enforcement of court order
By Sruthisagar Yamunan / ENS - CHENNAI, 12th July 2012 07:49 AM
* Photos
Despite clear instructions from the Madras High Court to stop sanitary workers from scavenging manually, the list of those dying in manholes and private septic tanks continues unabated.
This is one stinking issue that just refuses to die down. Despite clear instructions from the Madras High Court to stop sanitary workers from scavenging manually, the list of those dying in manholes and private septic tanks continues unabated.
Activists have now appealed for a more vigorous implementation of the court directions, apart from pepping up the awareness campaign as mandated by the court in its recent interim order.
Data collected by City Express in connection with this matter revealed that at least 10 sanitary workers had died in and around Chennai in the last 14 months after they inhaled noxious gases while entering manholes and septic tanks. The latest such incident was that of a 45-year-old man, Rajendran, who succumbed while cleaning a septic tank on July 6 at Madipakkam.
While many of the incidents involved men employed by private contractors, activists said two important issues plagued the implementation of the ban on manual scavenging. First and foremost is the lack of awareness among both the workers as well as residents that a ban of this nature on manual scavenging exists.
A Narayanan, who first filed the PIL in 2008 requesting a ban on using humans for cleaning sewage, said that many feel it is normal for people to enter the septic tanks to clean the sludge and waste. "The very fact that the act is against human dignity has not reached the masses as there is no comprehensive campaign sensitising the public," he said.
Activists said the High Court had clearly fixed the responsibility in the original order of 2008, and also all the subsequent interim directions, including the latest order of April 2012, to the Municipal Administration and Metrowater Board to take measures on preventing entry of sanitary workers into both sewer lines of the Department and septic tanks in homes and private establishments.
While the number of those who died immediately after inhaling noxious gases was around 10 last year, Narayanan said prolonged exposure to such fumes causes innumerable health issues. Secondly, while more than 100 boards have been erected across city advising residents against throwing solid waste into the drains, not many have been fined for the offence. Solid waste, especially used condoms and sanitary napkins, are known to block the sewerage lines. When this happens in smaller lanes, the workers are unable to take the machines to clear the block. Therefore, they are forced to enter the manholes despite a safety manual prepared by the NHRC provided to all Area Engineers.
The issue had also been taken up constantly in the meetings of the Special Committee constituted by the HC. In the last one held on May 2, the Chairman of the Committee had informed that development works to the tune of over `480 crore would be initiated under the Chennai Mega City Development Mission, including construction of roadside sewage pumping stations.
When contacted, a senior official of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board said that the awareness campaign against manual scavenging was yet to be launched but preparations were being finalised. "We are hoping to organise rallies and take the message to the school children very soon. A door-to-door pamphlet distribution campaign is also in the cards," he said.
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article564580.ece?service
Corporation workers forced to handle sewage
By Shyam Balasubramanian / ENS - CHENNAI
12th July 2012 07:48 AM
Workers of the Chennai Corporation might not have signed up to clean sewers. But that is what they are forced to do. The civic body is currently clearing storm water drains across the city, and its officials are running up against an inconvenient truth.
Thousands of establishments and households across the city illegally use the Corporation's storm water drain network as their personal sewage system. This is forcing Corporation workers to manually clean sewage from the storm water drains.
The storm water drains may not connect to sewer lines. But they are taken advantage of by thousands of people who are just too lazy to get a Metro Water connection to their buildings. This just means a lot of sewage finds its way into the system, forcing Corporation workers to clean it by hand.
"Corporation and Metro Water officials issue thousands of notices and take action across the city. But there are just too many people illegally dumping their sewage into the storm water drains. It is not possible to clean up in a short period," says a Corporation official.
Given that the Corporation has no other choice but to clean up the storm water drains, and that Corporation workers are burdened with the inconvenient task of handling sewage, it just means that public apathy is forcing the civic body to take up what the Madras High Court has banned – manual scavenging.
Corporation officials get touchy at the very mention of the words 'manual scavenging'. And that is justifiable, considering the Corporation would be contempt of the Madras HC if it accepts what it is forced to do is in fact manual scavenging. Officials are smooth over the issue.
"Look, the problem is real. We are not excusing this by saying the work must go on. But there is no other way. They are our staff and we are concerned about them, so as much as possible we avoid having them do it manually," said a source at the Corporation.
The source added that the only way to prevent such a thing would be to have a massive crackdown on illegal dumping in storm water drains. "You can control what's legal and within the system. But what do you do about illegal encroachments or temporary establishments? Most of these have the backing of local politicians, who block our moves at regularising them," says the official.
Not just sewage, but a whole load of other things find their way into the storm water drains – from sand, construction debris, medical wastes, food wastes, plastics and what not. Scavenging or not, this is an inconvenient truth the Corporation has no other choice but to handle.
From: Shiva Shankar <sshankar@cmi.ac.in>
Date: Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Subject: Corporation workers forced to handle sewage
To:
Cc: Ananth Narayanan <paadam.pm@gmail.com>
If you wish to participate in the war against manual scavenging that is prevalent everywhere in India - certainly wherever there is a railway station - please contact Mr.A.Narayanan (at the email address above) who has moved every court (including the Supreme Court) to implement the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.
---------------------
Dear All,
Thanks to New Indian Express for highlighting this issue that will refuse to go for another 50 years, not certainly by year 2023, unless all stakeholders decide to change our present attitude drastically and show missionary zeal and purpose to nation building. We should hate ourselves for the laid back attitude. But, for this to happen, the Government should be willing to lead the people as if time is running out.
A.Narayanan
----------------------
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article564583.ece?service
Manual scavenging: Activists seek strict enforcement of court order
By Sruthisagar Yamunan / ENS - CHENNAI, 12th July 2012 07:49 AM
* Photos
Despite clear instructions from the Madras High Court to stop sanitary workers from scavenging manually, the list of those dying in manholes and private septic tanks continues unabated.
This is one stinking issue that just refuses to die down. Despite clear instructions from the Madras High Court to stop sanitary workers from scavenging manually, the list of those dying in manholes and private septic tanks continues unabated.
Activists have now appealed for a more vigorous implementation of the court directions, apart from pepping up the awareness campaign as mandated by the court in its recent interim order.
Data collected by City Express in connection with this matter revealed that at least 10 sanitary workers had died in and around Chennai in the last 14 months after they inhaled noxious gases while entering manholes and septic tanks. The latest such incident was that of a 45-year-old man, Rajendran, who succumbed while cleaning a septic tank on July 6 at Madipakkam.
While many of the incidents involved men employed by private contractors, activists said two important issues plagued the implementation of the ban on manual scavenging. First and foremost is the lack of awareness among both the workers as well as residents that a ban of this nature on manual scavenging exists.
A Narayanan, who first filed the PIL in 2008 requesting a ban on using humans for cleaning sewage, said that many feel it is normal for people to enter the septic tanks to clean the sludge and waste. "The very fact that the act is against human dignity has not reached the masses as there is no comprehensive campaign sensitising the public," he said.
Activists said the High Court had clearly fixed the responsibility in the original order of 2008, and also all the subsequent interim directions, including the latest order of April 2012, to the Municipal Administration and Metrowater Board to take measures on preventing entry of sanitary workers into both sewer lines of the Department and septic tanks in homes and private establishments.
While the number of those who died immediately after inhaling noxious gases was around 10 last year, Narayanan said prolonged exposure to such fumes causes innumerable health issues. Secondly, while more than 100 boards have been erected across city advising residents against throwing solid waste into the drains, not many have been fined for the offence. Solid waste, especially used condoms and sanitary napkins, are known to block the sewerage lines. When this happens in smaller lanes, the workers are unable to take the machines to clear the block. Therefore, they are forced to enter the manholes despite a safety manual prepared by the NHRC provided to all Area Engineers.
The issue had also been taken up constantly in the meetings of the Special Committee constituted by the HC. In the last one held on May 2, the Chairman of the Committee had informed that development works to the tune of over `480 crore would be initiated under the Chennai Mega City Development Mission, including construction of roadside sewage pumping stations.
When contacted, a senior official of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board said that the awareness campaign against manual scavenging was yet to be launched but preparations were being finalised. "We are hoping to organise rallies and take the message to the school children very soon. A door-to-door pamphlet distribution campaign is also in the cards," he said.
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article564580.ece?service
Corporation workers forced to handle sewage
By Shyam Balasubramanian / ENS - CHENNAI
12th July 2012 07:48 AM
Workers of the Chennai Corporation might not have signed up to clean sewers. But that is what they are forced to do. The civic body is currently clearing storm water drains across the city, and its officials are running up against an inconvenient truth.
Thousands of establishments and households across the city illegally use the Corporation's storm water drain network as their personal sewage system. This is forcing Corporation workers to manually clean sewage from the storm water drains.
The storm water drains may not connect to sewer lines. But they are taken advantage of by thousands of people who are just too lazy to get a Metro Water connection to their buildings. This just means a lot of sewage finds its way into the system, forcing Corporation workers to clean it by hand.
"Corporation and Metro Water officials issue thousands of notices and take action across the city. But there are just too many people illegally dumping their sewage into the storm water drains. It is not possible to clean up in a short period," says a Corporation official.
Given that the Corporation has no other choice but to clean up the storm water drains, and that Corporation workers are burdened with the inconvenient task of handling sewage, it just means that public apathy is forcing the civic body to take up what the Madras High Court has banned – manual scavenging.
Corporation officials get touchy at the very mention of the words 'manual scavenging'. And that is justifiable, considering the Corporation would be contempt of the Madras HC if it accepts what it is forced to do is in fact manual scavenging. Officials are smooth over the issue.
"Look, the problem is real. We are not excusing this by saying the work must go on. But there is no other way. They are our staff and we are concerned about them, so as much as possible we avoid having them do it manually," said a source at the Corporation.
The source added that the only way to prevent such a thing would be to have a massive crackdown on illegal dumping in storm water drains. "You can control what's legal and within the system. But what do you do about illegal encroachments or temporary establishments? Most of these have the backing of local politicians, who block our moves at regularising them," says the official.
Not just sewage, but a whole load of other things find their way into the storm water drains – from sand, construction debris, medical wastes, food wastes, plastics and what not. Scavenging or not, this is an inconvenient truth the Corporation has no other choice but to handle.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment