With over 15,000 enumerated manual scavengers in rural parts of the State, Karnataka remains in the top five of the ignominious list recorded by the Socio Economic and Caste Census – 2011. While the State also represents the worst of the Southern Region — where the rest of the four States find themselves in the better end of the spectrum — the data also flies in the face of the State government’s claim that just 306 cases of manual scavenging having been registered.
According to the recently released data, Karnataka has 15,375 manual scavengers in rural areas. This represents 0.19 per cent of the more than 80 lakh households enumerated in the survey in 2011. Only Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tripura fare worse.
The numbers may, in fact, be fundamentally under-reported as the definition of manual scavengers was amended in 2013 to include any sanitary worker handling waste manually. The survey was conducted in 2011 when scavengers were defined only as those who removed night soil.
“This should be a wake-up call for the State. It is a shame, and it has shown how the State has failed to curtail this,” said Narayana, Chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Safai Karamcharis.
Even till 2013, the State government had shown just 306 “registered” manual scavengers in Karnataka — of which 202 were based out of Bengaluru itself. In statements made since, Minister for Social Welfare H. Anjaneya had estimated the number was “more than 10,000” persons; while, Mr. Narayana claimed it could be as high as 25,000.
“In 2013, the Union government allotted around Rs. 225 crore for manual scavenging relief to the State. As the government showed just 306 people, this money was taken back by the Centre,” said Mr. Narayana, who added that an independent, “comprehensive” census was proposed to ascertain “actual” figures.
Activist B. Venkatesh, convener of Dalit Bahujan Movement, said the census showed “clearly” that the State was underplaying the issue. “There seems to be no will to bring manual scavengers to the mainstream,” he said.
Clifton Rosario from Alternative Law Forum, which handled a manual scavenging petition with the High Court of Karnataka, said the census figures may be unrepresented, even considering the old definition.
Bonded labour bad too
It isn’t just in manual scavenging numbers that the State finds itself in the dock. The Socio Economic and Caste Census – 2011 notes that the State has had 18,452 “released” bonded labourers, which makes it the fifth worst in the country.
What they have to say:
Narayana, Chairman,Karnataka State Commission for Safai Karamcharis: The census figures are an underestimation. During my visits to nearly 22 districts, I can say with certainty that every village has manual scavengers. This will continue as there are no drainage facilities in most rural areas.
B. Venkatesh, activist: Though 15,375 is much more than what the State government claims, the census figures may be under-reported. But, what it definitely shows is that there is no will in Karnataka to put a curb on manual scavenging.
Clifton Rosario, Alternative Law Forum:
It is sad that Karnataka, which was the pioneer in the eradication of manual scavenging four decades ago, still possess such high numbers.
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Socio Economic and Caste Census – 2011
No. of households enumerated: 80.48 lakh
Manual scavengers: 15,375
Ministry of Social Justice note to Lok Sabha – 2013
7,740 houses in Karnataka are manually serviced
Estimated manual scavengers in Karnataka (urban and rural areas) is 14,555
Census 2011
13.6 per cent of nearly 13 lakh households in Karnataka have pit latrines
Legislation
Scavenging banned under The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 and The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
Congress’ Assembly election manifesto promised to end manual scavenging
