Karnataka High Court Urges State To Frame Policy to Curb Manual Scavenging at Sewage Treatment Plants

The Karnataka High Court has directed State authorities and the Bengaluru municipal body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to urgently formulate a comprehensive policy or statutory guidelines to prevent manual scavenging in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) across Karnataka.

The Court raised concern over the October 2024 deaths of two contract workers who entered an STP at Asha Sweets.

Despite the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and Article 21 guaranteeing the right to life, such hazardous practices continue.

The Court stressed the need for mechanisation, safety protocols, and inter-departmental coordination. Authorities must file their responses within four weeks.