In view of the continued practice of manual cleaning of hazardous waste, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, in a letter to all the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of States and Union Territories, has asked to ensure the immediate implementation of the 14 directives issued by the Supreme Court in its landmark 2023 judgment (Dr. Balram Singh v/s Union of India, 2023 INSC 950), aimed at eradicating the inhuman and caste-based practice of manual scavenging and hazardous sewer cleaning.
The Commission has noted that the practice constitutes to a grave violation of human rights, especially the right to life with dignity and equality before the law. The Commission has observed that despite the constitutional and legal safeguards, as well as a complete ban announced by the Supreme Court on 29th January, 2025 in six major cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad – manual cleaning of hazardous waste continues to be reported in certain parts of the country.
Therefore, the NHRC, India has recommended the immediate implementation of the following measures:
- Wide dissemination of the prohibition of manual scavenging and relevant judicial directives among stakeholders, including local authorities, contractors, and the general public;
- Sensitisation programmes for government officials, sanitation workers, and communities on the legal, social, and human rights dimensions of manual scavenging;
- Establishment of robust monitoring systems to ensure real-time compliance and deterrence;
- Regular follow-ups and review mechanisms to track progress, identify implementation gaps, and ensure accountability at all levels.
The Commission has also asked the concerned authorities to submit an action taken report within eight weeks.
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