New Delhi, June 21: EXPRESSING concern over the ‘‘inhuman and degrading practice’’ of manual scavenging which was still prevalent in many parts of the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary for a report on the practice.

Taking suo-motu cognizance of a recent report in The Indian Express on the continued practice of manual scavenging in certain parts of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, the Commission has asked for a report within two weeks, a NHRC release said today.

The Commission had also raised the matter with the UP government when its chairperson and senior officials visited Lucknow last month, it said. Despite the Central Act, meant for eradicating manual scavenging, being in force, only about 50 per cent of the states in the country had either adopted the Act or enacted their own laws to deal with the problem.

The employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 also prohibits the employment of manual scavengers as well as construction or continuance of dry latrines, the release said.

The Commission has also been pressing for stricter implementation of the Act and for evolving programmes for the rehabilitation of those engaged in the profession, it said.

NHRC has also been working closely with the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis and NGOs for evolving suitable measures to eradicate this social evil. (PTI)