Archive · 20 Jul 2025
Gujarat High Court Orders Report on Manual Scavenging Infrastructure
The Gujarat High Court is making sure that cities and towns in Gujarat are following the law to stop people from cleaning sewers by hand.
The court wants to know if they have the right machines and tools.
This follows a request from a group that has been fighting against this dangerous practice.
The court is checking to make sure all local bodies are prepared to prevent manual scavenging, and the state's lawyer will help the court with this important issue.
Gujarat High Court directs local bodies to report on manual scavenging equipment.
The court seeks strict implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act, 2013.
The order follows a PIL filed by an Ahmedabad-based organization, Manav Garima, in 2016.
Court emphasized the need for equipment to ensure the safety of sanitation workers.
Advocate General of the State to assist the court on the matter.
- Who
- Gujarat High Court and local bodies in Gujarat.
- What
- Gujarat High Court is seeking reports from local bodies regarding equipment for eliminating manual scavenging.
- When
- The court passed an order on July 7.
- Where
- Gujarat, India
- Why
- To ensure strict implementation of the law and eradicate manual scavenging.
Court's Perspective
Other Perspective
Complete Eradication vs. Partial Solutions
Court's Perspective
Manual scavenging should be absolutely eradicated.
Other Perspective
The court believes that providing compensation, terminating contracts, blacklisting contractors, and lodging FIRs are not complete solutions
- Court Action
- Directed Commissioners to collect reports from local bodies.
- Legal Focus
- Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
- Petitioner
- Manav Garima, an Ahmedabad-based voluntary organization.
- Government Resolution
- Dated April 3, 2025, mandates equipment for drain cleaning.
- Advocate General
- Assisting the court.