The Bombay High Court recently directed the State of Maharashtra to set up dedicated email addresses and social media handles for District Level Committees and Vigilance Committees under the anti-manual scavenging law. This initiative aims to allow citizens and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to report instances of manual scavenging.
The order was issued by a Bench comprising Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice MM Sathye.
In its August 20 order, the Court stated, “The Department of Social Welfare shall create dedicated email addresses for each District Level Committee and Vigilance Committee. Additionally, a social media handle must be established where citizens and NGOs can report instances of manual scavenging. These reports will be examined by the respective committees. This measure will assist the Social Welfare Department in fulfilling its statutory duty to prevent manual scavenging, in line with the responsibilities outlined under the 2013 Act.”
The Court further instructed that the social media handles and email addresses, along with relevant information, should be made available on the website by the next hearing, scheduled for September 9.
This directive came in response to a petition filed by Shramik Janata Sangh, represented by Senior Advocate Gayatri Singh. The petition highlighted the continued plight of manual scavengers in Maharashtra, despite the government’s claims of having eradicated the practice.
During an earlier hearing, the State government, represented by Government Pleader PP Kakade, asserted that all districts in Maharashtra had been declared free of manual scavenging, based on certificates from district Collectors. However, the petitioners presented evidence of ongoing manual scavenging incidents and related worker fatalities that occurred after the certificates were issued.
The Court underscored the need for a thorough investigation into these claims, reiterating the definitions under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The Bench emphasized the importance of understanding the current state of manual scavenging in Maharashtra.
In addition to establishing communication channels, the Court directed the Department of Social Welfare to publish the composition of all committees formed under the Act on its website, including details of actions taken by these committees. The Court also mandated that Vigilance Committee meetings be held on time, with agendas circulated in advance and outcomes documented for transparency.
Senior Advocate Gayatri Singh, along with advocates Sudha Bhardwaj, Nawaz, and Deepali Kasul, appeared for the petitioners. Senior Advocate Ram Apte, with advocates Ajit Pitale and Harshad P. Nahata, represented the Bombay Municipal Corporation. Government Pleader PP Kakade and Additional Government Pleader RA Salunkhe represented the State. Advocates Sarang S. Aradhye, Gauri Velankar, Saarth Chordia, and Shantanu Gurav appeared for the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation.
