THE FISCAL BURDEN OF ERADICATING MANUAL SCAVENGING IN INDIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVES

Abstract

Manual scavenging refers to cleaning human excreta from dry latrines and open drains which is a human rights violation that has been practiced in India. However, this type of employment is prohibited by law and, yet there are many scavengers working in India because the practice is rooted in social and economic contexts. In response to this, India has come up with several pieces of legislation that seek to eradicate manual scavenging and at the same time assist the victims. This paper aims at analyzing these measures with the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993, and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. This paper seeks to examine the fiscal implications of eradicating manual scavenging in India with specific focus on the comparative study of public and private efforts. Sewer cleaning by hand remains a problem and socio-economic barriers. The research evaluates the capital that has to be spent for changing over to sustainable sanitation solutions with the influence noted of government and its pacts, financing and some other methods of funding apart from the private sector. It focuses on how cost-efficient technologies are when incorporated in sanitation and community solutions drawing examples from successful intervention. Moreover, the paper explores the fiscal policies of public-private partnerships and social impact investments to overcome the obstacle of government resources and enhance social justice. The study further explores to make recommendations relevant to policy makers and other stakeholders so as to transform the sanitation situation in India and to eradicate manual scavenging.