Training of Manual Scavengers for Dignity & Fraternity by Office Of District Magistrate (Shahdara)
New Delhi, August 24, 2018: The training programme of Vocational Skill Development was launched for Manual Scavengers today by Sh. Shatrughan Sinha, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister, GOI, Sh. Manish Sisodia, Dy. Chief Minister, Delhi, Sh. Rajendra Pal Gautam, Minister (Social Welfare), Delhi in the presence of Civil Servants and NGOs in a largely attended function held in the O/o District Magistrate (Shahdara).
A total number of 28 manual scavengers were identified in district Shahdara who were involved in manual scavenging for the last 5 to 15 years. The qualification of these identified manual scavengers ranged from illiteracy to B.Com (H) with an average salary of Rs. 2000/- per month to Rs. 8000/- per month and aged between 18 years to 60 years.
The above training programme was initiated by Shri. K Mahesh District Magistrate (Shahdara) to provide an alternative means of livelihood, honour and dignity to manual scavengers. The training is being imparted in Housekeeping for a period of 3 months. Trainees shall be paid a stipend of Rs. 1000/- per month with other facilities and assured job in the Housekeeping sector with the minimum wages.
Sh. Shatrughan Sinha, Member of Parliament of Former Union Minister, Govt. of India appreciated Shahdara District initiative & exhaulted other districts in the country to replicate in every district in India. He highlighted the positive work of Delhi government in the field of Health & Education. He said that Sh. Manish Sisodia is India’s most distinguished Education Minister and other States must learn from Mr. Sisodia, as how to reform educations.
Sh. Manish Sisodia, Dy. Chief Minister, Govt. of NCT of Delhi stated that “We are here to provide the solution to Manual Scavengers with great enthusiasm. It’s a pilot project started in Shahdara District, and in near future, will be implemented by every District and lauded the role of DM, Shahdara. ”
Sh. R.P. Gautam, Hon’ble Minister Social Welfare, Govt. of NCT of Delhi stated that there were no State Monitoring Committee earlier, now vigilance committee in the districts has been constituted in every District. There were 12 deaths in sewers. There is a need to clean sewers by Machines only.
Sh. Dilip Pandey, Member of Sahitya Kala Parisad & Social Activist, Delhi focused on the areas of improvements. He ensured that in near future, Delhi will not face problems related to Manual Scavengers and great contribution of work
The manual scavengers were identified in February, 2018 by a committee headed by Sh. K. Mahesh, DM (Shahdara). This district level survey committee was formed under Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. A three members committee was constituted comprising Patwari of District Shahdara, representative of EDMC and Safai Karmchari and representative of Mahila Pragati Manch (NGO). The training of manual scavengers has been organized in collaboration of Centre for Advocacy& Research, Action Aid, Mahila Pragati Manch & Sadik Masih Medical Social Servant Society for prohibition of employment as manual scavengers and their rehabilitation Act, 2013.
