http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/17dalit.htm

Despite Mayawati, Dalits in UP still carry nightsoil

A Delhi Correspondent | October 17, 2008 | 12:38 IST


Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeshwar has in a report to the Law
Commission stated how Dalits -- even in the state that has a Dalit
chief minister -- carry human excreta for disposal even 15 years after
a ban was imposed on such inhuman practice through an Act of
Parliament in 1993.


Politically-wise after picking up fights with previous chief
ministers, Rajeshwar has, however, tried to avoid any clash with
Mayawati. He has taken the cover by pointing out that this problem is
limited not only to Uttar Pradesh but also rampant in Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.


The Law Commission has forwarded the Governor's letter to Social
Justice Minister Meira Kumar, which says that 13 lakh people in the
country still carry human excreta for disposal.


The Governor wants the Commission to issue a directive to the state
governments that the district magistrates be made responsible to stop
this practice by October 2, 2010, if not 2009.


Since the Law Commission is only a recommendatory body, its Chairman
Justice A R Laxmanan, a retired Supreme Court judge, has written to
Meira Kumar to bring to notice this 'important human issue' to the
state governments and ask them to implement the Dry Latrines
(Prohibition) Act.

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