The City Municipal Corporation has asked all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the guidelines as given in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, while employing workers to clean septic tanks.
A meeting was held for private septic tank operators, commercial establishments, hotel associations and residential welfare associations at the Collectorate on Tuesday in which Corporation Commissioner K.R. Selvaraj made a presentation on the provisions in the law.
Officials said that before cleaning the tank, the size, width and depth of the tank should be analysed and workers should not be allowed to enter the tank for any reasons.
They said that the manhole should be opened two hours prior to the cleaning activity. Workers should wear boots, hand glove, helmet, face mask and proper uniforms provided by the companies. Workers should be covered under EPF and ESI and the companies should have paid their contribution regularly.
Officials said that after cleaning the tank, the water should be disposed of in the places directed by the Corporation. If manual scavengers were employed for cleaning human excreta, the person who employs them for the first time would be fined Rs. 2 lakh or have to undergo two years imprisonment or both. If the person is found to have employed the scavengers for the second time, a fine of Rs. 5 lakh would be levied besides imprisonment for five years or both.
If insanitary latrines were constructed and used, the owner would be fined Rs. 50,000 and subject to undergo imprisonment for one year or both. Officials asked the private tank operators to register their vehicles with the Corporation.
The grievances of the participants were answered and officials said that after completion of under ground drainage works, house connections will be given.
