If the manual scavenging operation is spotted, call 14420 and complain!
Posted on: 12/Jun/2023 12:43:30 PM
The Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has informed that if a manual scavenging operation is spotted anywhere in Chennai Metro City, a complaint may be registered by calling the telephone number 14420.
Many workers employed to perform manual scavenging operations die of asphyxiation. It should be noted that Tamil Nadu is the number one state in terms of deaths of manual scavengers due to asphyxiation.
Therefore, numerous initiatives have been undertaken on various fronts to prevent such deaths resulting from asphyxiation during manual scavenging operations.
The Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has stated on its Twitter page that a complaint can be made by calling the telephone number 14420 in the event of observing manual scavenging operations.
The officials of the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) have shared the following information:
"Only lorry owners who possess a license to pump sewage water from the sewage tanks in areas under the jurisdiction of CMWSSB are permitted to remove sewage water. Therefore, lorry owners who have not obtained this license must apply for it immediately. These lorries can remove sewage water only from authorized purification plants and pumping stations.
Imprisonment for 5 years!
If lorries are observed taking sewage water without a license or if manual scavenging is detected instead of the use of machinery, a complaint can be filed by calling the telephone number 14420.
Engaging in manual scavenging can result in a punishment of 5 years` imprisonment or a penalty of Rs. 5 Lakhs, or both!
If lorries are found removing sewage water without the proper license, the first violation will result in a penalty of Rs. 25,000. For a second violation, the penalty will be Rs. 50,000. Further violations will lead to confiscation of the lorries and legal action will be taken!"
