LJP leaders demand end to manual scavenging in Patna

Demanding an end to the practise of scavengers carrying night soil on their heads, LJP president Ramvilas Paswan, party leaders and activists today courted arrest here.
   
Hundreds of LJP workers marched in a procession to the busy R-block and courted arrest but were later freed, police said.
    
The LJP leader called for regularisation of sweepers appointed on contract saying those on government pay roll were inadequate in number to meet the demand.

"The monthly salary of sweepers should also be hiked from Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000 as received by Group D employees in government offices," he demanded.

A commission should be formed to look into the problems of the sweepers, he said adding that they should be included in the BPL list and one acre of land be provided to each family.

LJP would demonstrate before Parliament in New Delhi on March 9 demanding immediate dismissal of the Bihar government for neglecting the demands of scavengers.

According to government data, nearly 1.3 million people are engaged in manual scavenging across India.
    
Manual scavenging has been banned in the country since 1993 by a law, that also prohibits use of unplumbed toilets.

A commission should be formed to look into the problems of the sweepers, he said adding that they should be included in the BPL list and one acre of land be provided to each family.
    
LJP would demonstrate before Parliament in New Delhi on March 9 demanding immediate dismissal of the state government.