State Government committed to end practice of scavengery: Chief Minister

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the State Government is committed to eradicate practice of carrying night soil. If any family is linked with this practice due to some compulsion, the State Government will extend optimum financial assistance to them to start some other profession. He said that Madhya Pradesh will extend best-possible contribution in implementation of “Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan”. Shri Chouhan said that all the political parties should work unitedly on eradication of social evils like practice of carrying night soil.
Shri Chouhan was addressing a programme held to mark launch of “Maila Mukti Yatra” under Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan on the premises of Ravindra Bhavan here today. The Yatra comprises women from various parts of the country who have got rid of practice of carrying night soil including 11 thousand women of Madhya Pradesh. The Yatra launched today will reach New Delhi on January 31 after passing through 200 districts of 18 states. Women participating in the Yatra will act as message-carriers and free 50 thousand women from evil practice of carrying night soil.
Shri Chouhan said that all the religions preach equality among human beings. No religion teaches discrimination. He said that the community will have to come forward to avail benefits of the State Government’s welfare schemes. He appealed to those present to send their children to school. The State Government is committed to make available all sorts of educational facilities. He said that revolution can be brought about if government and community work together. Shri Chouhan said that practice of using dry latrines will be abolished. Law in this regard will be strictly implemented. The families which are still carrying night soil due to some compulsions will be fully rehabilitated economically.
Union Panchayat & Rural Development Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh said that the Union Government will soon formulate a law under which users of dry toilets will be punished. They can even be sent to jail. Announcing that self-help groups of women having got rid of practice of carrying nigh soil will be given priority under National Rural Livelihood Mission. Shri Ramesh said that such self-help groups will be provided bank loans as well as necessary training. He said that India will get rid of practice of open-area defecation in next ten years. Some states have made headway in this regard. Sikkim is the first state of the country where practice of open-area defecation has been eradicated followed by Kerala. Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. He informed that Rs. 1500 crore will be utilised to convert dry toilets into flush toilets under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
Shri Ramesh said that India has made unprecedented progress in all sectors, but it is unfortunate that 60 percent women still defecate in the open. As many as 26 lakh dry toilets are being used in India of which 40 percent are in rural and 60 percent in urban areas. Even these days, over three lakh families are engaged in the work of carrying night soil. Besides government programmes, socio-political movement is also necessary to end this situation.
Swami Agnivesh exhorted Valmiki Samaj not to consider themselves weak and realise their dignity and power. Welcoming efforts of Lila Bai of Mandsaur district towards creation of awareness among Valmiki Samaj women, he touched her feet publicly. Tasleem Bai of Ujjain and Chhoti Bai of Chittod district of Rajasthan also shared their experiences.
Madhya Pradesh Safai Karmachari Ayog Chairman Shri Ganga Ram said that the commission has not received any complaint regarding practice of carrying night soil. Effective action will be taken whenever such a complaint is received.
Magsaysay Awardee Shri Sandeep Pandey, former Union Secretary Shri P.S. Krishna, Shri Milind Kamle of Dalit Chamber of Commerce and Industries and members of non-government organisations were present on the occasion.