SHOPIAN: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Shopian in collaboration with Municipal Council Shopian today organized an awareness programme at Town Hall Shopian to educate the sanitation workers on the prohibition of manual scavenging and unsafe sewer cleaning practices in light of Implementation of Supreme Court Directives.
Chief LADC Shopian, Rafi Ahmad Ganie shared insights on the legal, human rights and social justice imperatives behind the legal ban on manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning methods. He emphasized the Supreme Court’s directives and relevant legislation that criminalize these practices and highlighted the duty of all stakeholders to enforce safe, dignified and mechanized alternatives.
CEO, Municipal Council Shopian, Suhail Ahmad Malik, also addressed the gathering and reaffirmed the municipal body’s commitment to eradicating manual scavenging and ensuring worker safety by adopting mechanized and safe sewer cleaning technologies.
Assistant LADC briefed participants on legal rights of persons engaged in manual scavenging. He covered the definition of the practice, duties of local bodies, rehabilitation support, compensation rules, and punishment for violation of the Act. He stressed the need for safe sewer cleaning using machines and protective equipment.
The programme was also attended by Assistant LADCs, PLVs, Supervisors, Sanitation workers and a large number of Municipal Council employees.