Manual scavenging in Bengaluru: Complaint filed against BWSSB
In yet another manual scavenging incident, the BWSSB is in question. The men cleaning the sewer alleged that the BWSSB engaged them to clean the sewer for a mere Rs 50
FollowBengaluru: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has found itself in soup after a police complaint has been registered against it for allegedly engaging a man to clean a manhole.
The incident came to light when the vice-president of Madiga Dandora, MC Srinivas spotted a group of three engaged in the prohibited practice.
An FIR was registered against BWSSB on Thursday.
Srinivas said that he was shocked to see one of the men descend into a manhole in JC Nagar. "They were being paid Rs 500, and some had worked for 20 years like this,” said Srinivas, adding “I was told by them that the manhole was blocked, and someone in the BWSSB had engaged them to clean it."
However, the local BWSSB officials have denied the allegations saying they were unaware of the incident.
JC Nagar Police registered a case under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 on Thursday. No arrests have been made so far.
Incidentally, on the same day, 25-year-old Manu lost his life while cleaning a septic tank at an International School at Hongasandra on the outskirts of the city.
Manu had been asked by the school management to clean the sewer and was just handed over cleaning equipment.
No safety gear was given and there was no one overseeing him.
Manu's body was found when he was lying motionless. He was rushed to the hospital and was declared dead.
