case of any fatality of sewer man while operating or cleaning manholes and blocked sewer lines, an amount of Rs 10 lakh would be  paid

Chandigarh, August 1—The Haryana Minister of State for Public Health Engineering, Dr. Banwari Lal, has said that in case of any fatality of sewer man while operating or cleaning manholes and blocked sewer lines, an amount of Rs 10 lakh would be  paid to his dependents. Insurance cover would also be provided to them.
Addressing a press conference here today, he said that since 1993, 18 sewermen lost their lives in such incidents, and a sum of Rs. 10 lakh each would be given to their dependants.
To prevent such incidents, the department has taken a number of steps which include training and safety measures while entering the manhole. As many as 535 sewer men have been trained so far. If there is blockage in the sewer, permission in writing would have to be obtained from the concerned Executive Engineer, and the work would be carried out in the presence of some senior officer, he added.
Dr Banwari Lal said at present, nine Super Sucker Machines were available in the state and arrangements had been made to take the services of these machines through outsourcing. Special attention is given to the cleaning of waterworks and chlorination and water testing is also done regularly.  Water testing report is updated online on the department’s website.
Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mr Rajiv Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, Mr Rajiv Arora, and Engineer-in- chief of Public Health, Mr  Manpal Singh, were also present on this occasion.