The Big Picture - Stop Manual Scavenging

With an aim of eliminating human entry into septic tanks and drains for cleaning, the ministry of housing and urban affairs has launched a 'technology challenge' seeking suitable solutions from individuals and NGOs. According to the ministry, the initiative is in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently expressed a desire for a challenge to promote latest technologies to avoid human intervention in cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in the country. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has asked ministry officials to work out modalities of the challenge. The ministry said that identification of technological as well as business innovations are among the objectives that have been flagged. Meanwhile, three labourers died cleaning a sewage treatment plant in Loni, Ghaziabad, on Sunday. The deaths were allegedly caused by poisonous gas in the plant. On this edition of ‘The Big Picture’ we discuss how to deal the problem of manual scavenging.

Guests - Bezawada Wilson, National Convener of Safai Karmachari Andolan,
Sudhir Krishna, Former Union Secy. Urban Development,
Dr. P.S.N. Rao, Director, School of Planning and Architecture,
Arun George, Co Founder, Genrobotic Innovations Pvt Ltd,

Anchor - Frank Rausan Pereira

[dhirajbankar]

very nice discussion.all panelists spoke very well.Good to see Mr.Wilson on your show, the man who literally given everything out of his life for the noble cause of eradicating manual scavenging in india.But as our 'tradition' follows, we always failed to recognise the real social workers.We get to know about them whenever some foreign agency recongnise or give award to them like in case of Mr.Wilson.
It is the 'apathy' of our governments because of which this very inhuman, derogatory and unacceptable thing like manual scavenging is going on.
A big thanks to RSTV for bringing a person who has got magsaysay award on this very issue which has been discussed.

[vikasutsav]

Salute to Bezwada Wilson! His restless efforts will definitely bring the sunshine in the life of manual Scavengers one day.

[alankarshirsath]

Manual scavenging is the only job in which there is 100% reservation for Schedule Caste and in this case no one will criticise Reservation.

[wintersoldier]

Wow. Super impressed with this anchor! He's so much better than those loudmouths on private news channels. Well done, Mr. Pereira. Hope for more anchors like you.

[vaibhavbhardwaj]

1. In short term: provision of safety equipments to the manual scavengers.
2. In long term: Adaptation technological means to eradicate the manual savenging + Devaluation more power /Funds to Local govts helping organisethe drainage lines.
3.Encouraging Bio toilets in every sphere where organised drainage system is not possible due to scattered or unorganised dwellings.
4. Census of Manual scavengers must be undertaken and working out solutions for their rehabilitation and upliftment. Targeted reservations should be carved out from the consolidated entitlement to and monitor how many are actually getting the benefit of it. These are the people who really need the hanging fruits of Reservations to uplift them in short time and not the wards of Class A officers.

[sameeranand]

Decentralized approach could work here. Empowering local government with proper monitoring could work and hats off to Mr Wilson

[bhavithareddy]

Govt should come up with proper guidelines for manual scavengers.It should improve the living conditions of them with dignity.Encourage people who r coming up with new technologies by providing financial assistance

[malikarashid]

Bezawada sir, ur valid points and the way u elocuted them show that u really feel for the manual scavengers.indeed, u r a very good speaker.keep it up.the country needs people like u who can become voice of the helpless.

[geetikasharma]

People say that so and so will happen over a period of time. 70 years of independence and we still have millions of people as manual scavengers. This needs to be completely eradicated now, not over a period of time. Mr Wilson and Mr Krishna gave great points.
Thank you rstv

[rajaking]

Manual scavengers, our society treating very badly...also government not provide the safety equipment.. also not uplifting permanent job..their work contract people not respect their work...our people very lazy...segregation waste, ...also waste water treatment plant...im really happy Rstv to discussed marginalised people problem....

[snr]

Thanq very much Mr Frank Pareara for hosting this episode which has a real significance to every Indian about this social evil....

[rakeshpunia]

The manual scavenging is blot on Indian society where ages-old, humiliating and condemn-able practice still exist violating the basic human rights and Indian fundamental rights. Bureaucracy, local administration failed miserably and ‘Political will’ is still missing on this – similar to non-passage of ‘women empowerment’ bill etc. because of political compulsions. Mr. Wilson’s brought the ground realities to the fore and other panelists added value. We should not just see the problem merely ‘urbanized’ rather rural where ill-practices are grossly prevalent. Thanks RSTV for such discussions and helping the masses’ opinion-building, role of technological & administrative interventions and psyche-change to disestablish the ‘differences’ in society to make a NEW India.

[DarkKnight-krxv]

Great debate. The debate touched on many points such as needs of holistic & efficient planning of schemes, importance of the dimension of sanitation in flagship schemes like smart city mission, deficiencies in Swachh Bharat Mission, the decades old evil of manual scavenging and its effects, strengthening the local self governments, short term and long term measures to solve the problem etc. All the panelist were good and placed their opinions in clear way. A little more detailed discussion on the technological aspect - innovation and viability would have been nice. Overall- a informative and constructive debate.

[robinranjan]

Gist: Not developed the technology. Never identified the scavengers, yet after so many surveys. Newer and local technology. And awareness, participation among people. Biotiolets can help a lot. 1993 first legislation to ban manual scavenging. Psyche of indian society that dalits are used to cleaning is also regressive . Smart cities, too, have not this in consideration. The least that can be done is provide them safety equipments.

[shikhakumari]

Thanx to rs TV for giving such an analysis🙏🏻

[ROHITVERMA-uriw]

Very good program Wilson sir raised problems and others panelists suggestions are also true but we need to do on political and societal stage more and have sympathy for manual scavenger and their rehabilitation and good job opportunities on permanent basis required rather than contract

[tejgjgbjjkjkhk]

I saw a smirk on Frank's face when Wilson said we don't deal with issue but are launching rockets to moon

[cricketkedewane]

Mr Wilson same pain
general category feel on reservation
and same here
there is no plan when it will end

[anaghasingh]

Nature is best tutor how it works from back-end.. only investment models everywhere! Viability of every project should be checked before it's implementation ..but we address with problems when met at emergency and thus not able to work on long term plans...n results are evident! lol to demographic dividend

[cricketkedewane]

I wish
stop reservation will also be discussed properly some day