Govt denies manual scavenging in State

In an affidavit following a petition filed by former Advocate General R N Narasimha Murthy, it has been stated that the deputy commissioners had certified that all dry latrines in respective districts had been demolished.

A meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary decided to review the practice of manual scavenging in the State, following the Savanur incident, the affidavit said.

A survey conducted by a Bangalore-based research analyst identified 296 manual scavengers who have all been rehabilitated by the Dr B R Amedkar Development Corporation.

A coordination committee under Minister for Municipal Administration has been constituted to oversee the effective implementation of the Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrine (Prohibition) (Karnataka State) Rules 1997, the affidavit stated.