The Delhi High Court on September, 02, sought responses from the Delhi government and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on a public interest litigation seeking regularisation of contractual sewer workers and stronger safeguards for sewer and septic tank workers in the national capital.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the authorities to collect relevant data and place complete information before the Court.
Background of the Case
The PIL has been filed by Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) through advocate Umesh Kumar. The petition seeks regularisation of around 2,000 contractual sewer workers engaged by the DJB, along with payment of wages and statutory benefits claimed to have been denied to them.
The plea also seeks compensation of at least ₹1 crore to the family of every deceased sewer or septic tank worker and permanent government employment for one eligible dependent of each deceased worker.
According to the petition, sewer cleaning and maintenance are permanent public functions and should not be structured in a manner that deprives workers of employment security and statutory benefits.
The petitioner alleged that workers face serious risks from toxic gases and hazardous substances while carrying out sewer-related work.
“Workers may suffer persistent headaches, dizziness, memory loss, reduced concentration, neuropathy, tremors, impaired motor function, and long-term neurological disorders resulting from prolonged occupational exposure to hydrogen sulphide and other toxic substances.”
The plea further sought complete mechanisation of sewer and septic tank cleaning and a prohibition on hazardous manual entry into sewers and manholes.
The Bench directed the Delhi government and the Delhi Jal Board to provide the relevant information and data to the Court.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 28.
