Categories
Scenario of rag-pickers in India

Scenario of rag-pickers in India

In this article we will discuss Scenario of rag-pickers in India

In this article, we will discuss Scenario of rag-pickers in India. So, let’s get started.

Scenario of rag-pickers in India

  • It is estimated that India generates 65 million tonnes of waste each year and is home to more than 4 million rag-pickers.
  • Predominantly women, this army of rag-pickers or Safai Saathis is the backbone of traditional waste management in most Indian cities.
  • There have been initiatives for the inclusion of rag-pickers such as:
  • A 1995 report of the High-Power Committee on Solid Waste Management constituted by the Planning Commission called for integration of rag-pickers into the system.
  • In 1988, an Expert Group constituted by the Supreme Court echoed the same recommendation.
  • The Solid Waste Management Rules and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, also recognise the contribution of rag-pickers and hold that they be included in the solid waste management of local bodies.
  • However, the rag-pickers have not been included in any disaster management plan of the administration.
  • When the government announced measures during the pandemic to support frontline workers, the rag-picker community remained conspicuous by its absence.
  • Their multiple vulnerabilities, including low and uncertain incomes, limited access to government schemes, high health risks, and severe social exclusion, have all been exacerbated by Covid-19.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *