Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced the formation of a cabinet sub-committee to improve welfare measures for pourakarmikas, including a higher daily breakfast allowance, residential schools for their children and a dedicated pourakarmika bhavan. The announcements were made at a state-level Pourakarmika Day programme organised by the Urban Development Department and the Directorate of Municipal Administration.
Shivakumar said the government would provide benefits to workers without allowing intermediaries to come between them and the administration. He said senior officials from the Social Welfare and Urban Development departments would be included in the proposed cabinet sub-committee.
The Chief Minister announced that the daily breakfast allowance for pourakarmikas would be increased from ₹35 to ₹70. He also promised special residential schools for workers’ children and the construction of a pourakarmika bhavan. A special meeting will be held the following week to discuss welfare measures for drivers of vehicles used by pourakarmikas, he said.
Shivakumar also directed officials and staff not to behave arrogantly towards sanitation workers. Describing pourakarmikas as the “ambassadors of cleanliness”, he said their work was essential to keeping cities clean. He urged workers not to feel inferior about their occupation and said their work protected Karnataka.
Municipal Administration Minister H.C. Balakrishna asked the Chief Minister to establish a Pourakarmika Welfare Board. He also sought the direct recruitment of pourakarmikas and the implementation of a direct salary payment system. Balakrishna proposed the construction of a residential layout named after IPD Salappa and an award for pourakarmikas in the name of B. Basavalingappa.
Balakrishna said the IPD Salappa Committee had been constituted by former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs to work on the welfare of pourakarmikas. Religious Endowment Minister Basavangappa sought suitable employment for the educated children of sanitation workers.
Urban Development Minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah said construction of 4,170 housing units for pourakarmikas was under way. He also said a cashless health card system had been introduced for the workers.
The programme was attended by Social Welfare Minister K.H. Muniyappa, Safai Karmachari Development Commission chairperson P. Raghu, former minister Anjaneya, former MP L.R. Shivaram Gowda, former MLA T. Venkataramanaiah and officials from the municipal administration and urban development departments. Representatives of pourakarmika organisations also took part.
The event included the screening of a documentary on the difficulties faced by pourakarmikas. Senior sanitation workers from different districts were felicitated, and the Chief Minister and ministers wore pourakarmika uniforms during the programme. Shivakumar also had a meal with the workers after the felicitation ceremony. The proposed cabinet sub-committee and the special meeting on vehicle drivers are the next stated steps in the government’s welfare programme.
