New Delhi: Although there have been no deaths due to manual scavenging in Tamil Nadu in the last five years, 43 persons have lost their lives due to "hazardous cleaning" of sewer and septic tankas, Ramdas Athwale, Minister of State (MoS), Social Justice and Empowerment said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
" There are no deaths due to manual scavenging in Tamil Nadu. However, 43 persons have lost their lives due to hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks and non-observance of safety precautions prescribed under the 'Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013," stated Athwale in a written answer.
As for the rehabilitation of those who are engaged in manual scavenging the MoS said that the Union Government is implementing a Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).