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Union budget 'outrageously scraps' scheme meant for rehabilitating manual scavengers

By Bezwada Wilson* 
The Union Budget for the year 2024-2025, placed by the Finance Minister in Parliament has completely deceived the Safai Karmachari community. There is no mention of persons engaged in manual scavenging in the entire Budget. Even the scheme meant for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers (SRMS) has been outrageously scrapped. 
This disappointing budget has once again demonstrated the clear apathy of union government towards the Safai Karmacharis, especially the manual scavengers.
It is a fact that manual scavenging is still blatantly and illegally practised in many parts of country, specifically in states like UP, MP, Bihar, J&K. Providing no budget for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers simply means that this government has no intention to eradicate manual scavenging, and it has even refused to recognise manual scavengers as human beings. This government has no respect for human life and human dignity.
Turning a blind eye, Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, has been giving false statements about non-existence of manual scavenging.
His statement in the Parliament implied that there is no instance of manual scavenging in the country, which ironically contradicts the results of survey of NITI Aayog itself. This inhuman and apathetic attitude of concerned minister is resulting into non-allocation of any budget for welfare of manual scavengers. He has not just done this deliberately, but also displayed his inhuman approach even while sitting in the office of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
On the other hand, the situation on the ground is completely opposite. Manual scavengers are even afraid to reveal their identity to state. In many instances, state governments with the help of Police are threatening the manual scavengers with arrest, if they continue to do manual scavenging. In such situation, they are not revealing identities necessary to provide a self-declaration. This gives governments an opportunity to absolve themselves of any responsibility for rehabilitation of manual scavengers or provide them with alternative dignified livelihood.  
The Safai Karmachari community demands that the Prime Minister should come out with a white paper on work done by government for manual scavengers in last 10 years. He should also announce a special package for liberation and rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
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*National Convener, Safai Karmachari Andolan

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