Hyderabad, Oct.9 (NSS): National Commission for Safai Karmacharis member Dr. P.P. Vava today suggested that priority should be given to the health safety and welfare of sanitation workers engaged in the duties of protecting the health of the people. He held a meeting with GHMC Commissioner Amrapali Kata, officials of the respective departments and representatives of the Valmiki Association at the meeting hall at the GHMC headquarters in the city and reviewed the welfare schemes being implemented for the sanitation workers.
On this occasion, the representatives of the Valmiki Association brought to the notice of the member of the Commission various problems faced by the Valmiki community. The Commission member P.P.Vava enquired about the schemes and programmes being implemented for the sanitation workers.
GHMC commissioner Amrapali said action would be taken on all the complaints lodged by the respective representatives. The Representatives of the Valmiki Association said that the issues of the workers should be communicated in writing at 4 pm every Wednesday. She said that there were no manual scavengers anywhere and added that the Prohibition of Manual Scavengers Act was being implemented strictly. “The services of the sanitation workers will be utilised by using modern technology,” she said. She also said that several steps were being taken for the welfare of women workers and added that committees (ICCs) had been set up for the safety of the women as there are more women in the sanitation department of GHMC. “We are implementing ESI, PF, etc. for the sanitation workers and health camps are being conducted once in every three months as suggested by the sabhas . Everyone is covered under various schemes and their attendance is maintained in a transparent manner. Their salaries are being deposited in their bank accounts on the 1st of every month,” she said. The Members of the commission told Vava that they would send a report to the government on all policy issues.
Vava said that the health and well-being of the sanitation workers working in unhygienic conditions should be given top priority. He suggested that special health camps should be organised for them regularly and medical check-ups should be conducted and better services . He said that the payment of Minimum wages should be monitored and facilities like insurance facility, PF and ESI should be ensured. He suggested that the problems of safai karmacharis should be identified and appropriate action should be taken. There should be widespread awareness among the people about the Manual Scavengers Ban Act, he said. He suggested that strict measures should be taken in accordance with the government guidelines regarding their rehabilitation. The member said that the representatives of the respective associations would work towards resolving the issues.
Commission Advisor Veerendranath, Additional Commissioners Raghu Prasad, Pankaja, Nalini Padmavathi Zonal Commissioners Hemant Keshav Patil, Apoorva Chauhan Ravi Kiran, Upender Reddy, Venkanna, Valmiki Association representatives, sanitation workers and others were present on the occasion.
