(1) Any person working as a manual scavenger, in a rural area, may, either duringthe survey undertaken by the Panchayat within whose jurisdiction he works, in pursuance ofsection 14 or at any time thereafter, apply, in such manner, as may be prescribed, to the ChiefExecutive Officer of the concerned Panchayat, or to any other officer authorised by him inthis behalf, for being identified as a manual scavenger.
     (2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Chief Executive Officer shallcause it to be enquired into, either as part of the survey undertaken under section 14 or whenno such survey is in progress, within fifteen days of receipt of such application, so as toascertain whether the applicant is a manual scavenger.