PASIGHAT, Jul 31: East Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu has asked all the stakeholders for strict implementation of the ‘Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013’ in the district.
He called for conducting time bound surveys and submission of reports at both sub-divisional and district levels, besides asking for extending support to identified manual scavengers and their dependents for skill development and assistance under various livelihood schemes for a dignified life.
DC Taggu, who is also the Chairman of District Vigilance Committee, was chairing the District Vigilance Committee (DVC) meeting on the implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act 2013 in the district.
During the meeting, the DC also directed the Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) to conduct a survey on insanitary toilets within the municipality areas so as to replace them with sanitary toilets.
Local MLA cum DVC member Tapi Darang, in his address, asked the district administration and the PMC authority to implement the MS Act, 2013 in letter and spirit, so that any individuals found engaged as manual scavengers are given proper rehabilitation and other facilities as per the Act.
The MLA also asked the PMC authority to conduct a proper survey along the stretches of Pane Korong and other habitations as insanitary toilets are contaminating the stream through direct disposal of wastes/septic pipe wastes directly into the stream posing health hazards to the citizens. He further called for conducting awareness drives on the same among the citizens.
East Siang SP Dr Sachin Kumar Singhal assured support for strict enforcement of the Act.
PMC Chief Councillor Okiam Moyong Borang informed that a preliminary survey on insanitary latrines/septic tanks has already been initiated, while ZPC Olen Rome shared important tips for effective implementation and awareness campaign.
The house later resolved for the formation of sub-division level vigilance committees for Ruksin and Mebo, and survey committee for East Siang.
PMC EE Tadar Tarang, in his PPT presentation, highlighted the salient features of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers & their Rehabilitation Act 2013 and its objectives to eliminate manual scavenging and rehabilitate to a life of dignity, use of modern technology for cleaning of sewers, septic tanks etc, and to eliminate insanitary toilets. He said there are provisions of penalties for construction of insanitary latrine or engaging manual scavengers, prohibition of persons for employment for hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, role of urban local bodies for construction of sanitary community toilets to eliminate open defecation.
The meeting was also attended by DMO Dr Komling Perme, Ruksin EAC John Modi, Mebo EAC Toni Mitkong, Dy SP Ayup Boko, EE (UD) Sophia Lego, Pasighat CDPO K Moyong, and FAO Momang Megu, among others. (DIPRO)