PUNE As part of the “Safai Mitra Suraksha” challenge from the central government, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has appealed to housing associations and individual households to ensure that septic tanks are mechanically cleaned at least every three years.
The PMC has also recommended that the tanks be cleaned by an authorized contractor or agency.
Those who do not adhere to the cleanliness offensive will be prosecuted according to the citizens’ authority.
Sushmita Shirke, Superintending Engineer, Sewage and Maintenance and Repair Division, said, “With this challenge, we need to keep Safai workers safe. The challenge focuses on avoiding manual cleaning and encourages machine cleaning. “
She added: “We have appealed to all citizens to stop manually cleaning tanks and use machines instead. If the use of workers for cleaning is essential, the prior consent of the chief inspector of the drainage department is required. It is also mandatory for associations and individual households to have their septic tanks cleaned by PMC-affiliated contractors every three years; otherwise they have to face action. ”
The Safai Mitri Suraksha Challenge takes place in 243 cities across the country and began in November 2020.
The initiative aims to ensure that no life is lost by cleaning sewers or septic tanks.
The PMC carried out a self-assessment and submitted an application with a score of 991 points. An independent agency appointed by the Union government will now assess the reality on the ground and submit a report to the government.
Kunal Khemnar, additional municipal commissioner, said: “Actually there are no septic tanks that are used by housing associations as we have a drainage network all over the city. In the newly merged villages, however, there is the possibility of a septic tank. Corporation has drawn up a plan for these federated villages. “
Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge
The Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge focuses extensively on awareness-raising as well as on the infrastructure for machine cleaning and the development of the workforce. The results of the current assessment of the participating cities on site will be announced on August 15, 2021. Cities are rated in three sub-categories depending on their number of inhabitants – one million and more, 0.3-1 million and up to 0.3 million. Total prize money of ₹There are 52 crore to be won in all categories.
What is the PEMSRA Act?
It is a criminal offense to employ or engage a person, directly or indirectly, for dangerous cleaning. Failure to observe the above safety precautions is a violation of the Prohibition of Employment as a Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Act-2013 (PEMSRA) Act, even in cases where hazardous cleaning does not result in death or serious injury.
If a local authority official is found to be employing workers to manually clean a sewer without the company’s written authorization, the lack of such authorization may be evidence of the commission of the crime.
Likewise, a photo or video of a worker cleaning a septic tank without mandatory safety equipment can be evidence of a crime by the person who employs or employs such a worker.
Suhas Patwardhan, chairman of the Pune District Cooperative Association, said, “There are about 11,000 housing associations in Pune City. Most of the companies have their drainage systems connected to the PMC network. However, some ancient societies have septic tanks. It is a good move by the PMC to make it mandatory on the mechanized system. But the PMC should work with operating companies and provide facilities in good time. ”
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