332 sanitation workers died cleaning sewers and septic tanks between 2021 and June 2026
332 sanitation workers lost their lives in 18 States and UTs while cleaning sewers and septic tanks between January 2021 and June 2026, MoS Ramdas Athawale told the Lok Sabha on 21 July 2026.
Summary
Sanitation worker deaths from hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks numbered 332 across 18 States and Union Territories between January 2021 and June 2026, according to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale told the Lok Sabha. The government said 193 FIRs were registered in the last five years against agencies and officials for hazardous manual cleaning. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 came into force on 6 December 2013; Section 8 of the Act provides imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both, for employing a manual scavenger.
Key facts
- Deaths
- 332 in 18 States/UTs, January 2021 – June 2026
- Data source
- National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)
- FIRs
- 193 in the last five years
- Law
- MS Act, 2013 – in force from 6 December 2013
- Penalty (Section 8)
- Up to 2 years' imprisonment, fine up to ₹1 lakh, or both
- Minister
- MoS Ramdas Athawale, Lok Sabha
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many sanitation worker deaths during hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning were reported between January 2021 and June 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 332
332 sanitation workers died in 18 States and UTs; 193 is the number of FIRs registered in the last five years.
Consider the following statements about the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: 1. The Act came into force on 6 December 2013. 2. Section 8 of the Act provides imprisonment of up to five years for employing a manual scavenger. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Section 8 provides imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both.