Op-Ed Focus: Get real on Swachh: on manual scavenging

Article: Get real on Swachh: on manual scavenging

Link: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/get-real-on-swachh-on-manual-scavenging/article19303180.ece

Now try to answer following questions:

1. What is manual scavenging? What policy measures have been implemented to deal with this scourge? Have these measures been a success? Critically comment.
2. Manual scavenging entrenches and perpetuates caste discrimination in India. Critically comment?
3. Critically analyse the provisions of “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013”?

Points to ponder:

1. Manual scavenging highlights the challenges that only laws cannot bring about social and behavioural changes. Discuss.
2. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has remained merely a paper policy initiative. Do you agree?