IN RE ENSURING THE SECURITY OF LIFE AND SAFETY OF HEALTH OF THE WORKMEN AND EMPLOYEES ENGAGED Vs. CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF U.P. LUCKNOW

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In compliance of previous orders of this Court, an affidavit has been filed on behalf of State of U.P. annexing therewith order of the State Government dtd. 31/3/2022 laying down the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Sri Manish Goel, learned Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of the State submitted that strict instructions have been issued to all local bodies to ensure full compliance of the laid down Standard Operating Procedure in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. He made special emphasis to the provisions relating to (a) insurance of the life of workers engaged in hazardous cleaning (b) complaint redressal system and helpline number, (c) making it imperative to constitute a Responsible Sanitation Authority (RSA) and Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) in every Urban Area.

(2.) It is emphasized that in the said meeting another important decision taken was for preparing a project report jointly by Social Welfare Department and Labour Department prescribing revision of wages, compensation, insurance amount and other facilities for the sanitation workers. He has also assured the Court that needful in this behalf shall be done within a fortnight.

(3.) Sri Anoop Trivedi, learned senior counsel alongwith Sri Vibhu Rai Advocate appearing on behalf of respondent no. 6 have filed an affidavit stating that cleaning work of 202 drains in the city is being done with the help of mechanized machines. It is also stated that the entire cleaning work will be completed by 20/6/2022. The affidavit also discloses the number of gumboots, hand gloves, masks etc. provided by the Nagar Nigam to the contractors engaged in the work of cleaning of drains. It is also stated that all contractors have been instructed and warned not to permit any labour or workman to enter drains without wearing protective gears and that strict action will be taken against erring persons in case of violation.