Report manual scavenging cases, urges SMB

SHILLONG: The Shillong Municipal Board has asked citizens to report cases of employment of persons as manual scavengers to the nearest police station, a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer said.
The statement said that the practice of manual scavenging has been abolished in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s order in W.P. (Civil) No. 583 of 2003 and in accordance with The Provision of Employment as Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
In this regard, no person, local authority or any agency shall construct an insanitary latrine or engage or employ, either directly or indirectly, a manual scavenger.
Persons engaged or employed in manual scavenging will stand discharged from any obligation to do manual scavenging.
Furthermore, no individual or local authority will be permitted to engage any person for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank.
It was also informed that the contravention of the Act is punishable with imprisonment up to 2 years or fine up to Rs 2 lakh or both.
Any subsequent contravention is punishable with imprisonment up to five years or with a fine up to Rs 5 lakh or with both.