Context:

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three more years from 1.04.2025 to 31.03.2028.

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• The total financial implication for the extension of the commission’s tenure would be approximately Rs.50.91 crore.
• It would help in facilitating the socio-economic upliftment of sanitation workers, improving the working conditions in the sanitation sector and aiming to achieve zero fatalities while performing hazardous cleaning.

National Commission for Safai Karmcharis 

• NCSK was constituted in 1994 as a statutory body under the ‘National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993’. 
• As per Section 1 of the Act, NCSK was to cease to exist after 31.3.1997. However, the validity of the Act was extended up to February 2004 by two amendments.
• With the lapsing of the “The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993” in 2004, the Commission is acting as a Non-Statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. However, the Commission’s tenure is extended from time to time through Government Resolutions. 
• The last such resolution was held in 2022 which extended the commission’s tenure from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2025.

Key Functions of the Commission

NCSK recommends to the Central Government specific programmes of action towards elimination of inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities of Safai Karmacharis.

NCSK evaluate the implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and economic rehabilitation of Safai Karmacharis and scavengers in particular.

NCSK investigate the specific grievances and takes suo-motu notice of matters relating to non-implementation of 

(i) Programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karmacharis.

(ii) Decisions, guidelines etc. aimed at mitigating the hardships of Safai Karmacharis.

(iii) Measures for the social and economic upliftment of Safai Karmacharis etc,

Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013), NCSK shall perform the functions: - 

• To monitor the implementation of the act
• To enquire into complaints regarding contravention of the provisions of this Act and to convey its findings to concerned authorities with recommendations requiring further action
• To advice the Central and State Govt for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act
• To take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of this Act.