You are DM of a very poor district in the hinterland of India. It has come to your notice that manual scavenging is widely prevalent in the district even though the new law prohibits manual scavenging in any form. Upon enquiry, you have found that the number of manual scavengers has been reported to be very low, however, hundreds of dry latrines in the district depict a different picture. You have also noticed two more important trends: first, most of the manual scavengers are Dalits, and second, in many of the cases they themselves go to the houses and request the owners to clean their toilets manually, as it would provide monetary benefits. The entire district administration has been criticized by the media and there is political pressure on you to manipulate the data in a way that it shows less number of manual scavengers in the district. Based on the given information answer the following: 1. Identify the ethical issues associated with manual scavenging. 2. List the options available to you in the given case. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. Discuss some feasible steps that you can take to control this serious problem.

1. Ethical issues in manual scavenging a) Caste-based occupation: The degrading aspect of it comes through it being a caste-specific one.

b) Moral forcing and economic forcing Now, one may argue that why then they are doing this job. Reason has to be understood well. The higher castes

in the area wants Dalits to do this job as they considered it 'polluted'. If they refuse to do so, they are either violated against or all other sources of income would be closed for them as they don't have links, education or land.

1. Issue of freedom to do any job
2. Issue of it being a hereditary and never-ending occupation.
3. Issue of stigma attached to it which keeps Dalits as second citizens and at animal existence.

In the present case, I, as DM, have following options

1. Call up media and highlight the pressure I am facing to manipulate data Merits: It would lead to clear picture on the data and in favour of transparency and accountability. Demerits: Civil servants must not get in direct confrontation with politicians. This may disturb the balance between the two and lead to anarchy.

2. Keep the facts before public, [no] improvement that is let them have data of manual scavengers and toilets.

Merits Civil servants are meant for societal upliftment and not towing the line Will sensitise people about grave problem.

Demerits May disappoint the political leaders and I may get threats from local goons. However, that should not deter.

3-) Go to meet manual scavengers association and understanding their problems, boundings and taking in confidence the lower bureaucracy to not manipulate the data.

Merits This is the best inclusive approach. Giving data is not any achievement, working on emancipation is what is required Make Dalits feel that administration considers them equal citizens. Will sensitise other people about their plight

Demerits May have to face backlash from rest of society to degrade the area's image.

Some feasible steps to control and finally end the situation are

i) Firmly, apply Supreme Court directions

and Manual scavenging Act to end it. ii) see that toilets, under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are not dry pit latrines. iii) Make a wide campaign with help of NGOs, associations to promote harmony in the area. iv) finally, most important is to provide good rehabilitation facilities and decent job opportunities to the previous manual scavengers.