The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and states to take appropriate measures, frame policies and issue directions to ensure that manual sewer cleaning is completely eradicated in a phased manner.
It also asked the central and state governments to pay Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of those who die while cleaning sewers.
The previous amount was fixed, that is, Rs 10 lakh was made applicable in 1993.
For the case of sewer victims suffering from any disability, the minimum compensation shall not be less than Rs 10 lakh.
If the disability is permanent and renders the victim economically helpless, the compensation shall not be less than Rs 20 lakh.