Figure 4: No Copyright Infringement Intended

Context:

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by India's Prime Minister, has accepted a three-year extension of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis' (NCSK) term beyond 31.3.2022.
• The Safai Karamcharis and recognised manual scavengers in the country would be the main benefactors, since the NCSK has been extended for three more years beyond 31.3.2022.
• As of December 31, 2021, there were 58098 Manual Scavengers recognised in the MS Act Survey.

About

• The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was established as a statutory entity on August 12, 1994, by an Act of Parliament called the "National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993."
• Government Resolutions are used to extend the tenure from time to time.
• It serves as the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's non-statutory body.

Functions:

• It has been making suggestions to the government on special welfare programmes for Safai Karamcharis, examining and reviewing current welfare programmes for Safai Karamcharis, and investigating specific grievance cases, among other things.
• It also keeps track of how the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act of 2013 is being implemented.

Composition:

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis comprises of

• One Chairman (in the rank and status of the Union Minister for States)
• 4 members, including a lady member (in the rank and status of the Secretary to the Government of India) and the Secretary (in the rank of Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India).

Problems faced by Safai Karamcharis:

The safai karamcharis encounter a variety of issues, including

• They are socially ostracised and referred to in unflattering terms.
• Poisonous gases emitted by trash cause a variety of ailments, including Asthma and heart problems.
• Low wages and a precarious financial situation
• Because no protective gear is supplied, they must rely on their bare hands, which exposes them to a variety of infections.