- Over 30 deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks reported in 2026 so far. - Compensation of ₹10 lakh has been paid in only nine of these cases, highlighting implementation and administrative gaps. - The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) tracks these statistics and pushes for strict compliance with statutory rehabilitation and compensation norms. - Despite statutory bans under the 2013 Act, manual entry into sewers continues due to lack of mechanization and enforcement failures. - **Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013:** A landmark legislation that outlaws manual scavenging, bans hazardous manual cleaning of sewer systems and septic tanks, and provides comprehensive rehabilitation for affected individuals and their dependents. - **National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK):** A non-statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, tasked with studying, monitoring, and recommending measures for the welfare and rehabilitation of sanitation workers. - **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:** The nodal central government ministry responsible for welfare, social justice, and empowerment of marginalized sections, including Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, senior citizens, and sanitation workers. **Introduction** Data from the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) reveals that over 30 sewer and septic tank deaths have occurred in India in 2026, with statutory compensation of ₹10 lakh disbursed in only nine cases. The figures underscore persistent implementation bottlenecks in enforcing the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and ensuring accountability, mechanization, and adequate rehabilitation. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - Over 30 deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks reported in 2026 so far. - Compensation of ₹10 lakh has been paid in only nine of these cases, highlighting implementation and administrative gaps. - The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) tracks these statistics and pushes for strict compliance with statutory rehabilitation and compensation norms. - Despite statutory bans under the 2013 Act, manual entry into sewers continues due to lack of mechanization and enforcement failures. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013:** A landmark legislation that outlaws manual scavenging, bans hazardous manual cleaning of sewer systems and septic tanks, and provides comprehensive rehabilitation for affected individuals and their dependents. - **National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK):** A non-statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, tasked with studying, monitoring, and recommending measures for the welfare and rehabilitation of sanitation workers. - **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:** The nodal central government ministry responsible for welfare, social justice, and empowerment of marginalized sections, including Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, senior citizens, and sanitation workers.