RIGHT TO SANITATION: HUMAN RIGHT ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN DIGNITY

Right to sanitation is basic human right which is directly associated with human decency and dignity. Inadequate sanitation is the root cause of human and environmental degradation. Right to Sanitation basically means availability of facilities for safe disposal of excreta that avoids human, animal and insects contact with hazardous wastes. It entitles everyone without discrimination affordable access to sanitation which is safe hygienic, secure, socially and culturally acceptable and provides dignity. This paper will discuss international documents and commitments related to Sanitation along with Indian Scenario i.e. Constitutional perspective, various laws, rules or regulations dealing with the Sanitation and judicial basis of right to sanitation. Supreme Court of India starting from Municipal council of Ratlam till a judgment on Scavengers have dealt in detail about Sanitation and further in various cases interpreted that right to life includes right to have adequate sanitation. Hence this paper will elaborate on legal instruments incorporating a sanitation dimension, to understand the rationale and approaches of existing legal, policy and institutional frameworks for the realization of the right to Sanitation at National and Local levels. Further implementation challenges, gaps and corrective measures will also be discussed.