IT IS INEXPLICABLE THAT PEOPLE SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER HEALTH OF THEIR FOLLOW BEINGS - ORISSA HC

20th April 2021

It is inexplicable that in a democratic country governed by the Constitution and the Preamble, the deplorable practice of making humans enter sewer lines and septic tanks that require cleaning, without protective gear, and in that process sacrifice their lives for the better health of their fellow beings. According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in the last five years, at least 340 sanitation workers in India lost their lives cleaning sewers and septic tanks - Orissa HC.

Chief Justice Dr S. Muralidhar and Justice BP Routray made this remark while hearing a suo motu case concerning sanitation workers' death. On 15th April 2021, one of the sanitation workers entered the sewer line (15 ft), became unconscious inside the tank due to asphyxiation. Two other sanitation workers went inside to rescue him, but they too lost their senses. The hospital authorities declared two of them dead, and the third one was receiving treatment. Another tragic incident on 19th March 2021, when two sanitation workers engaged in the maintenance of a sewage tank, died of asphyxiation.

The bench mentioned the violation of Sec 7 read with sec 2(1) (d) and 9 of the PEMSR Act. The Court accordingly issued notice to the state of Odisha and many others asking them to file an affidavit, listing out the steps they've taken so far. Meanwhile, the concerned state authorities shall pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the deceased's family.

PEMSR Act - THE PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT AS MANUAL SCAVENGERS AND THEIR REHABILITATION ACT, 2013

Author - Papiha Ghoshal

Pc - Peoples dispatch