The Union Cabinet has given approval for the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) until March 31, 2028.

• This extension will involve a financial outlay of approximately Rs 51 crore.

About the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) 

• The NCSK was initially established as a statutory body in 1994 under the provisions of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993 for a tenure of three years.
• The Act governing the Commission was extended multiple times until the year 2004.
• After the expiry of the Act in 2004, the Commission continued to function as a non-statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Composition
  • Chairperson:  Union Minister of State rank
  • Vice-Chairperson: Any person with  Secretary rank
  • Five members :Secretary rank members including a Women member.
  • Secretary : Person of Joint Secretary rank.

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Mandate of the Commission

• Recommend to the Central Government specific programmes of action towards elimination of inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities of Safai Karmacharis;
• Study and evaluate implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and economic rehabilitation of Safai Karmacharis and scavengers in particular;
• Investigate specific grievances and take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of:
  • Programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karmacharis
  • Decisions, guidelines etc. aimed at mitigating the hardships of Safai Karmacharis
  • Measures for the social and economic upliftment of Safai Karmacharis etc,
• Study and monitor the working conditions, including those relating to health safety and wages of Safai Karmacharis.
• Make reports to the Central or State Government on any matter concerning Safai Karmacharis, taking into account any difficulties or disabilities being encountered by Safai Karmacharis; and
• Any other matter which may be referred to by the Central Government.

Extended Mandate of the Commission

• Under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013), NCSK performs the following  functions: 
  • Monitor the implementation of the Act;
  • Enquire into complaints regarding contravention of the provisions of this Act and to convey its findings to concerned authorities with recommendations requiring further action;
  • Advice the Central and State Govt for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act; and
  • Take suo-motu notice of matters relating to non-implementation of this Act..
• As per Supreme Court Judgment (2023):
  • The Commission is responsible for overseeing the implementation of directives issued by the Supreme Court concerning the eradication of manual scavenging.
  • The directives include ensuring proper compensation, implementing rehabilitation measures, and establishing accountability mechanisms related to manual scavenging.

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