Hyderabad: GHMC welfare measures for sanitation staff lauded

Hyderabad: The Member of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, Manju Diler, expressed satisfaction on the steps taken for welfare of Safai Karamcharis by the GHMC, at a review meeting held here on Wednesday.

The GHMC officials informed that out of a total of 18,500 sanitation workers, 13,500 are SCs and 2450 STs, accounting for 71% and 13% of the strength respectively and both comprise 84%. Among the 959 field supervisors, 780 are SCs and 50 STs. A Rs 6 lakh medical insurance is provided to a sanitation worker. Regular health check-ups were held at the seven established by the GHMC. All the Safai Karamcharies of GHMC were rehabilitated in alternative posts like office subordinates, chowkidar, enforcement cells (town planning) sports section, parks and playgrounds, sanitary jawans and head sanitary jawans.

Diler observed that even though there was no manual scavenger practice in GHMC, it should be ensured in the private sector as well. She asked the civic body to give priority in allotment of sweeping machines to the scavengers. In public toilet BOT tenders, there is a relaxation for them EMD and other conditions.

The central commission member urged that all central government welfare benefits should reach Karamcharis and quality education provided to their children. She noted payment of salary of Rs 14,000 to outsourcing sanitation workers.

Additional Commissioners Rahul Raj, Jayaraj Kennedy, B Santosh, Vijaya Laxmi, Zonal Commissioners N Ravi Kiran, Samrat Ashok, V Mamatha and Upender Reddy CMOH Amar were present.

Earlier, Diler had a meeting with the members of Safai Karamchari unioins and enquired about the welfare measures being implemented for them by GHMC.