BENGALURU, JAN 31

Karnataka government had promised to give a one-time cash assistance of Rs 40,000, houses, a monthly pension of Rs 4,000 and alternative jobs to manual scavengers in State as per provisions of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. Continuing with the promise, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called identified manual scavengers from across State to Bengaluru to attend a conference to rehabilitate them. Speaking at the event, Siddaramaiah said, “There should be no manual scavenging in the State and if any incident is found, strict action will be taken. Our government is committed to ensuring civic workers live in dignity.”

When Salar News spoke to some of the 2,000-odd Safai Karmacharis who attended the event, the reality was far from the assurances promised. Out of around 7,483 manual scavengers identified in the State as per a survey in 2020, around 5,683 are yet to receive the one-time assistance or any of the rehabilitation promises made by the State government.

On Wednesday, Siddaramaiah distributed the compensation cheques to manual scavengers from four districts in the State during the conference. Kolar was allotted a group cheque for Rs 2.84 crore, Mandya got Rs 2.47 crore, Bengaluru Urban got Rs 1.44 crore and Raichur got Rs 33 lakh. The participants at the conference were wondering when they get compensation from the total amount allotted for their district. Also, the participants from other districts were left wondering when they get compensation.

Speaking to Salar News, Kalakappa, a manual scavenger from Ramanagara, said, “I have been waiting for two years to get an alternative job such as cleaning staff. I have asked to run from pillar to post and submit the documents. Yet, there is no response from the government on the promises.''

Many of the manual scavengers don’t have proper documents confirming them as manual scavengers and don’t operate any bank account either; these are hindrances to getting government benefits. “When we go to district collectors to get pension or some alternative jobs, they ask to go from one department to another. We came to Bengaluru, hoping the Chief Minister will address our problems,” Kalakappa’s wife said.

Uchangappa, Secretary of Safai Karamchari Association from Davangere district, said, “In December 2023, one person died in Davangere while he was cleaning sewage. The government announced compensation to the family, but till now nothing has been given.” 

As per the manual scavenging act passed in 2013, the State government should be responsible for providing them with alternative jobs, identity cards, housing and pensions. —Salar News