Nagpur: A sanitation worker was allegedly forced into a sewer manhole without any safety equipment at Shivaji Nagar basketball ground in prabhag 15 on Tuesday morning — reviving the grim reality of manual scavenging despite the practice being legally banned.The incident, reported around 8.16am on April 21, came to light after a photograph surfaced showing the worker inside the manhole with no protective gear, oxygen support or gas detection mechanism. The visuals have sparked outrage, pointing to a blatant violation of mandated safety protocols and labour laws.In a written complaint to mayor Neeta Thakre, corporator and standing committee member Abhijeet Jha accused the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) of risking human lives through gross negligence. He termed the act a direct violation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, along with Supreme Court directives that strictly prohibit manual entry into sewers without safeguards.“This is not mere negligence — it is a conscious act of endangering lives,” Jha stated, underlining the abject absence of basic safety measures such as protective gear and oxygen supply.What makes the lapse more glaring is that the civic body already has access to mechanised sewer-cleaning equipment. Despite this, officials allegedly chose the hazardous manual route, exposing the worker to toxic gases and potential fatality.Jha has demanded an immediate probe and strict disciplinary action against the officials responsible, along with enforceable orders mandating mechanised cleaning across all zones.The incident lays bare the persistent gap between law and implementation. While manual scavenging is banned on paper, its shadow continues to loom large on the ground — with workers paying the price for systemic failure.Mayor Thakre assured that she would look into the matter. Deputy municipal commissioner Rajesh Bhagat said the matter would be examined and appropriate action taken against those found responsible. “Strict action will follow if any lapse is established,” he said.BoxMANUAL SCAVENGING BANNED UNDER LAWManual scavenging is strictly prohibited under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, which mandates rehabilitation of affected workers and bans handling of human waste manually across all forms — including dry toilets, septic tanks, sewers and railway tracks. The law also covers hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without adequate safety measures.PENAL PROVISIONSEmploying or engaging any person for manual scavenging is a cognisable and non-bailable offenceFirst-time offenders can face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine up to Rs 2 lakh, or bothThe Act also mandates identification, financial assistance, skill training and alternative employment for affected workers
