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New Delhi, 18th November, 2014, The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report, published with a photograph showing a labourer cleaning a manhole without protective gear on Santhom High Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu on the 25th October, 2014 after the city received heavy rainfall. Reportedly, a group of labourers was spotted going down the manholes to clean them on that day despite legislation that prohibited the employment of manual scavengers. According to the media report, carried on the 27th October, 2014, the abhorrent practice continued unchecked in many parts of the city. Considering it as a serious violation of human rights, a notice has been issued to the Government of Tamil Nadu, through its Chief Secretary calling for a report on the steps taken to implement the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 within a period of eight weeks. The Commission has observed that Manual scavenging violates Fundamental Right guaranteed by the Constitution of India against discrimination on the basis of caste. It is considered to be one of the worst surviving symbol of inhuman and untouchability. People engaged in manual scavenging are Dalits who are still considered to be untouchables by many people. The Commission has also said it viewed the prevalence of manual scavenging as a serious intrude on human dignity and abolition of this practice should be taken up as a National Mission. The Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 seeks to ensure prohibition of employment of manual scavengers. It appears that the concerned authorities are totally indifferent to these responsibilities and allows such inhuman practice.
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