SC turns down plea on protective gear for sanitation workers

The plea seeking directions to the government to provide sanitation workers with protective gear and facility of getting tested was rejected by the Supreme Court. The court, however, asked the petitioners to move to High Courts concerned in case of any grievances.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has turned down plea seeking directions to the government to provide sanitation workers with protective gears and facility to get tested for any possible infection.

The PIL, filed on April 9, 2020, by social activist and chairman of Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis, Harnam Singh, sought the apex court order to states and municipal authorities to ensure personal protective gear for sanitation workers across India within 24 hours.

It also demanded that COVID-19 testing facilities should be made available for sanitation workers and their immediate family members within 48 hours.

A bench headed by Justice N V Ramanna told the petitioner to move to the High Courts concerned in case of any grievances.

Advocate Mehmood Pracha appearing for the petitioner contended that the 'safai karamcharis' were dying while discharging their duties and hence there should be a separate economic package to help their families.

Pracha also alleged the WHO guidelines in this regard were not being followed.

However, Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, appearing for the centre, said that allegations were baseless and the WHO guidelines were being followed in letter and spirit.