It had come to the notice of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) that on Sunday (21.10.2018) at about 0530 hrs, one person namely Shri Doman Rai died while he had entered into 1400 mm dia and 30 feet deep sewer tank to open a valve in G Block of Jahangirpuri, North West Delhi.
The Commission has been mandated to monitor the implementation of “The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 and also the Supreme Court Judgement dated 27.03.2014 in Writ Petition (C) No 583 of 2003 in Safai Karamcharis Andolan Vs UOI regarding payment of Rs 10.00 lakh as compensation to the dependent family member of sewer /septic death cases.
In discharge of the mandate, the Commission has taken a spot visit on 25th October, 2018 to get first hand report on the incident and call for information from the concerned department of Government of Delhi, Police and other authorities. Following concerned officers has joined NCSK team at spot:-
· District Magistrate, North Zone.
· Additional Deputy Commission of Police.
· SDM of Jahangirpuri
· Officers from Delhi Jal Board.
At the spot, Chief Executive Officer explained in detail about the accident and informed that repair and rehabilitation work was being carried out by the M/s SS Spun India Ltd., The contractor firm which was hired by DJB, for the purpose.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) said that case under section 304A IPC, u/s 7 & 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 and 3(I)(J) of SC/ST Act has already been registered and on 23.10.2018, three responsible persons i.e. Shri Ashwani Jha, Project Manager, Shri Subham Nautiyal, Safety Officer and Shri Subhodh, Supervisor were arrested and produced in Hon’ble Court on 24.10.2018. At present they are in judicial custody for 12 days.
On the basis of discussion, it has been noticed that only mask and safety belt were provided to the deceased but prescribed/ required manpower including doctor with ambulance and prescribed safety gears were not provided at the time of accident which show a clear violation of provision of The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 and also the Supreme Court Judgement dated 27.02.2018.
On the spot, the Chairman, NCSK has given the following direction:-
DM North district to release a payment of Rs 10.00 lakh as compensation to the dependent family member of victim immediately.
Beside, factual report has already been called from the concerned department by the Commission.
The Chairman also directed that action may be taken on top priority basis.
