Mobile app launched for doing away with insanitary latrines, manual scavengers

A CORRESPONDENT

HAILAKANDI: The Hailakandi district administration has requested the people to download the app 'Swachhata Abhiyan' aimed at eliminating every insanitary latrine and doing away with manual scavengers for providing a safe and hygienic environment to the citizens. Citizens can download the mobile application from Google Play Store and geo tag data relating to insanitary latrines and manual scavengers. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Thaawarchand Gehlot launched the app on Thursday.

In pursuance to the letter issued by Economic Adviser, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Yogita Swaroop to Deputy Commissioners, the administration has decided to step up the campaign to create awareness about the mobile application to make it a people's movement to achieve the national objectives of eliminating insanitary latrine and rehabilitating the manual scavengers to provide dignity of life to them.

The administration has asked the field level officials of concerned departments, including the District Information and Public Relations Officer to ensure wide publicity about the mobile application for active participation of the people in achieving the national objectives.

It may be mentioned that under Section 4 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, construction and maintenance of insanitary latrines and employment of manual scavengers are strictly prohibited. Census 2011 had reported existence of around 26 lakh insanitary latrines of which more than 7 lakh latrines were being cleared manually. Most of the insanitary latrines have been demolished and converted into sanitary latrines under the Swachh Bharat Mission. However, there have been reports about existence of insanitary latrines and persons being still engaged as manual scavengers in some areas necessitating the government to identify such latrines and cases of manual scavenging for their total eradication with the active participation of people.

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