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(The Gist of PIB) Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge

(THE GIST OF PIB) Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge

Under the challenge, all states/UTs pledged to make sewer-cleaning mechanised by April 2021, promote citizen awareness and prevent Flazardous Cleaning of Sewers and Septic Tanks.

243 cities will be awarded under three sub-categories based on population: up to 3 lakh, 3-10 lakh and over 10 lakh.
Manual Scavenging is defined as removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers.
Official records show that manual scavenging has led to 376 deaths over the past five years.
Sanitation being a State subject, people for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks are employed by local bodies.

Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993, banned employment of people as manual scavengers.
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 that bans manual scavenging in all forms, provides for their survey and rehabilitation within a time bound manner.
Establishment of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis to look into matters concerning the Safai Karamcharis welfare.