New Delhi, March 22 (TIWN) The Supreme Court on Monday said it cannot compel state governments to file their response on the issue of manual scavenging, but can still proceed with the hearing in the matter.

She added that notice was issued in the matter on February last year, and there were more than 40 respondents, but only 13 have submitted their counter-affidavits in the matter. 

In February 2019, the apex court had asked Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to submit status report on the number of manual scavengers employed directly or indirectly since 1993, when the practice was declared illegal.