(1)

Any person working as a manual scavenger, in a rural area, may, either during the survey undertaken by the Panchayat within whose jurisdiction he works, in pursuance of section 14 or at any time thereafter, apply, in such manner, as may be prescribed, to the Chief Executive Officer of the concerned Panchayat, or to any other officer authorised by him in this behalf, for being identified as a manual scavenger.

(2)

On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Chief Executive Officer shall cause it to be enquired into, either as part of the survey undertaken under section 14 or when no such survey is in progress, within fifteen days of receipt of such application, so as to ascertain whether the applicant is a manual scavenger.