National Commission for Safai Karam Charis
Prelims:
Polity &
Governance, Government Bodies & Schemes
Mains:
GS Paper II:
Polity & Governance, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
Current relevance:
The
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) celebrated its 33rd
Foundation Day in New Delhi, with over 900 Safai Karamcharis and other
stakeholders participating.
Highlights:
National Commission for
Safai Karamcharis (NCSK):
1.
The
NCSK was set up in 1994 to address issues concerning Safai Karamcharis.
2.
It
acts as an important bridge between Safai Karamcharis, Central and State
Governments and local bodies.
3.
It
recommends programmes for eliminating inequalities in status, facilities and
opportunities faced by Safai Karamcharis.
4.
It
studies and evaluates programmes relating to their social and economic
rehabilitation.
5.
It
can investigate specific grievances and take suo motu notice of
non-implementation of relevant programmes, schemes, decisions, guidelines and
laws.
6.
It
also monitors working conditions relating to health, safety and wages
under employers including governments, municipalities and panchayats.
Legal Mandate against
Manual Scavenging:
The
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act,
2013 expanded the NCSK’s mandate to monitor implementation of the Act,
investigate complaints of violations, recommend corrective action, advise the Central
and State Governments on effective implementation, and take suo motu
cognisance of cases involving non-implementation of the Act.
Shift towards Mechanised
& Safe Sanitation:
The programme
articulated the national objective as:
1.
Hazardous
manual cleaning should increasingly be replaced by modern machinery and
technology.
2.
Workers
should receive proper training, protective equipment and safe operating
procedures.
3.
Accident
prevention should receive the highest priority.
4.
Compensation,
assistance and rehabilitation for affected families should be provided in a time-bound
manner.
NAMASTE Scheme:
1.
The
National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) was
highlighted as an initiative aimed at creating a safe, mechanised and
dignified sanitation ecosystem.
2.
The
scheme focuses on identification and profiling of sanitation workers, provision
of safety equipment, training, healthcare coverage, skill development
and access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.
3.
Its
approach links occupational safety with the broader health and
socio-economic empowerment of sanitation workers.
Governance & Social
Justice Significance:
1.
The
Constitution's principles of equality, dignity and social justice were
emphasised as central to protecting sanitation workers.
2.
Responsibility
extends beyond the Union Government and NCSK to State governments, Urban
Local Bodies, employing institutions and society.
3.
Safai
Karamcharis need access not only to workplace safety but also to education,
healthcare, social security and dignified livelihood opportunities.
4.
NCSK
also launched a Missed-Call Facility enabling stakeholders to raise
grievances and representations for follow-up and resolution.
5.
The
broader objective is to ensure that Swachh Bharat is accompanied by the
safety, dignity and empowerment of the workers who sustain sanitation services.
Source: PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2302541®=48&lang=2