The Karnataka High Court has strongly urged the State Government to introduce regulations for the monitoring and management of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in both public and private sectors, in light of the increasing number of deaths due to manual scavenging. The oral observation was made during a hearing on Thursday by a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V M Kameshwar Rao and Justice C M Joshi.
"Is there any statutory mechanism? This is something which requires urgent attention of the government. Many people lose their lives, it should be more mechanised," the bench remarked while emphasizing the necessity of legislative or regulatory measures to tackle the issue effectively.
The court was hearing an application filed by the All India Central Council Trade Union, which called for a state-wide comprehensive survey of all STPs. The union demanded that these plants, installed across both public and private properties, be cleaned using mechanical processes to avoid hazardous human involvement.
The petitioner also sought directions for the development of a detailed manual on the working conditions and necessary safety precautions for STP workers. Advocate Maitreyi Krishnan, representing the Union, highlighted that in the last two years, several deaths have occurred in Bengaluru due to manual scavenging inside STPs. She explained that this dangerous practice continues in different forms, especially within STPs, and remains largely unregulated.
Krishnan pointed out that the State Government had earlier initiated steps to survey STPs and formulate guidelines. However, no concrete action has been taken to address the lack of safety norms and regulations governing such hazardous work. There are no guidelines on who can undertake this work or what safety measures are to be followed she stated.
Additional Government Advocate Niloufer Akbar informed the court that the government is currently working on framing the required guidelines. These have been submitted to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), and once finalized, they will be enforced.
In response, the bench observed,"There should be a composite scheme for every STP wherever they are installed in the state. Whether it is in the form of guidelines or a statutory mechanism, it should have the effect of law. The court stressed the urgent need for a monitoring mechanism and better management practices, warning that piecemeal efforts would not suffice.
"Unless that happens... Some people come for daily earnings and they enter into such activities. Unless there is a regulatory mechanism, it will not be possible. Think over those lines and see what solutions can be found,” the court said while suggesting collective efforts from authorities to devise a concrete policy.
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The court further questioned whether the State Pollution Control Board is actively monitoring the functioning of STPs. In response, Krishnan clarified that the board primarily deals with environmental aspects and plant installation approvals, while the safety and working conditions of the labourers remain unregulated. She mentioned an incident from the previous year where two workers died inside an STP, and despite the board's presence, no action was taken concerning worker safety.
Following these submissions, the High Court directed the State Government to file its response within four weeks regarding the reliefs sought in IA No. 1 of 2024.
Case Title: ALL INDIA CENTRAL COUNCIL TRADE UNIONS AND Union of India & Others
Case No: WP 8928/2020 & Others
