Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 19, 2022, approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond March 31, 2022. The total implication of the extension for three years would be approximately Rs 43.68 crore.
The major beneficiaries would be the Safai Karamcharis and identified manual scavengers in the country. The number of Manual Scavengers identified under the MS Act Survey as on December 31,.2021 is 58,098.
The NCSK was established in 1993 as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993 initially for the period up to March 31,1997. Later, the validity of the Act was initially extended up to March 3, .2002, and thereafter up to February 29, 2004. The NCSK Act ceased to have effect from February 29, .2004. After that the tenure of the NCSK has been extended as a non-statutory body from time to time through resolutions. The tenure of the present Commission is up to March 31, 2022., according to a PIB release
The NCSK has been giving its recommendations to the Government regarding specific programmes for welfare of Safai Karamcharis, study and evaluate the existing welfare programmes for Safai Karamcharis, investigate cases of specific grievances etc. Also as per the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the NCSK has been assigned the work to monitor the implementation of the Act, tender advice for its effective implementation to the Centre and State Governments and inquire into complaints regarding contravention/non-implementation of the provisions of the Act. Though the Government has taken many steps for the uplift of the Safai Karamcharis, the deprivation suffered by them in socio-economic and educational terms is still far from being eliminated.
Although manual scavenging has been almost eradicated, sporadic instances do occur. Hazardous cleaning of sewer/septic tanks continues to be an area of the highest priority for the Government.