DIMAPUR — The Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) organised a workshop on ‘Prevention of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks’ under the NAMASTE scheme at Super Market Complex in Kohima on Friday.
According to a DIPR report, the event was aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of manual scavenging, promote safer and mechanised alternatives.
Sanjay Paul, a partner at Core Skill Tech Solutions LLP, Delhi, who was the resource person of the workshop, began the session with a video presentation, followed by a detailed powerpoint presentation on the Manual Scavenging Act 2013, which bans manual scavenging in India.
He highlighted the legal provisions and penalties under the Act and elaborated on various types of manual scavenging, the formation of Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) and the process flow for cleaning sewer lines.
He also explained the objectives of the NAMASTE scheme, which aims to eliminate hazardous cleaning practices by replacing manual labour with mechanised systems.
The scheme benefits sewer and septic tank workers by offering profiling, safety kits and preventive measures.
Paul stressed the importance of safety precautions and demonstrated personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety devices for sanitation workers.
In addition, he introduced the sanitation workers present to various loan schemes including the Swachhata Udyami Yojana, which provides financial support for procuring sanitation machinery and loan options under the NSKFDC.
The programme began with a welcome address delivered by Lanusenla Longkumer, CEO of KMC, who briefly outlined the NAMASTE scheme's objectives.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Neilhouphrelie, CI of KMC.