The division bench of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad directed the Delhi Government on Friday to ensure strict compliance with the statutory provisions contained in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 Act and the Rules framed under the enactment.

The order was issued by the court in response to a public interest litigation filed by Harnam Singh, a social activist and former Chairman of DCSK, who expressed concern about the conditions and facilities provided to various sanitation workers in the national capital. The petition sought health insurance and medical facilities for sanitation workers and their families, in addition to directions for compliance with the law, including the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act.

The court was also informed about the safeguards and measures put in place to ensure the workers' safety, including information about the training provided to the safai karamcharis, their vaccination, and their living arrangements. The respondent authorities also informed the court that the benefits provided to health care workers were extended without discrimination to sanitation workers employed in Delhi Government Health Institutions.

The court stated that the DCSK is investigating, examining, and monitoring all matters pertaining to the safeguards to be provided to sanitation workers residing in the national capital along with:

"The recommendations of the Commission are forwarded to the GNCTD, and therefore, this Court is of the opinion that the DCSK – as prayed for by the petitioner, is discharging its responsibilities keeping in view the Delhi Act 7 of 2006."

"In light of the aforesaid, no further orders are required to be passed in the present PIL. The same stands disposed of accordingly," the court said.

Case Title: HARNAM SINGH v. GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.

Citation: W.P.(C) 1396/2021