Supreme Court Penalizes PWD ₹5 Lakh for Sewer Cleaning by Workers Near Premises

Quick Summary

• The Supreme Court of India penalized Delhi’s Public Works department (PWD) ₹5 lakh for violating its October 2023 ban on manual sewer cleaning.
• Labourers, including a minor, were found clearing drains without protective gear outside the court premises.
• Justices Aravind kumar and N.V.Anjaria directed the PWD to deposit this amount to the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis within four weeks.
• Senior advocate K. parameshwar highlighted video footage showing a minor involved and criticized both PWD and police for failing to act on complaints, terming it a constitutional breach beyond labor law violations.
• The Supreme Court warned officials of FIRs if manual scavenging persisted but withheld such action at present due to no incidents pending compliance measures.

Indian opinion Analysis

The penalty imposed by the Supreme Court highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing bans on hazardous practices like manual scavenging despite existing legal directives. This incident underlines systemic gaps in accountability across multiple entities-PWD, contractors, and even local law enforcement. While monetary penalties aim at deterrence, their effectiveness may depend on stricter follow-ups or enforcement mechanisms ensuring safety protocols are adhered to uniformly.

Manual scavenging continues not only as a labor rights issue but as one tied intricately with broader concerns of social equity and constitutional values in India. for lasting impact, coordinated efforts involving state governments, judiciary vigilance, and education campaigns aimed at eradicating exploitative practices could be key steps forward.

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