HP becomes manual scavenger-free state

Himachal Pradesh has become "manual scavenger-free" state, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said today.
Shandil said that due to effective implementation of Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act, 2013, by the government, the state has achieved the goal of complete elimination of manual scavengers.
Shandil, who was participating in the conference of state ministers convened by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot, said the state government was committed to implementing the rehabilitation provisions of the Act.
The families of persons compelled to work in inhuman and insanitary conditions earlier, have been rehabilitated by providing them proper financial help.

The affected members of such families were also being given stipend of Rs 3,000 per month for skill development training, he said.
The Minister pointed out that a state level monitoring Committee had been constituted to ensure effective implementation of the Act so that the affected families and their wards could get proper training and rehabilitation facilities for earning livelihood.
The government has also constituted district level vigilance committees chaired by Deputy Commissioners to ensure proper implementation of the provisions of the Act.
A recent World bank report had also lauded Himachal Pradesh for making rapid progress to achieve status of "Nirmal State (open defecation free)".