Karnataka - Belgaum   

Better deal sought for safai karamcharis

Staff Correspondent

Corporations asked to stop privatising `safai' work

BELGAUM: Gangaben Waghela, a member of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, took officials to task at a review meeting here on Thursday for diverting funds meant for the rehabilitation of safai karamcharis.

The Deputy Commissioner, M. Maheshwar Rao; the Commissioner of the Belgaum City Corporation, K.D. Birje; corporators; and representatives of the All-India Safai Mazdoor Congress, district unit, attended the meeting.

Speaking to presspersons, she said the United Progressive Alliance Government headed by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, is concerned about the plight of safai karamcharis, and committed to stopping the practise of night-soil scavenging. The Government is also opposed to the privatisation of "safai" (cleaning) work, she added.

She noted that night-soil scavenging is still in vogue in many States such as Uttar Pradesh. She said she is happy that the practise has come to an end in the State.

Advising officials to stop entrusting cleaning work to private contractors as the latter exploit karamcharis without providing any insurance cover, gratuity benefits or health facilities, she said the corporations can employ more karamcharis instead of handing over the responsibility to private contractors.

She asked the officials concerned to hold health check-up camps in colonies inhabited by karamcharis at least once in six months.

To a question, Ms. Waghela said officials are acting according to their whims and fancies while inviting tenders for contract labourers.

The Centre provides at least Rs. 1 lakh to each corporation to provide masks, hand gloves and brooms, she noted and added that no one knows where this fund is going.

She said she will present a detailed report on the state of affairs in corporations to the Prime Minister after her return to the capital.

Demands

The district unit of the All India Safai Mazdoor Congress demanded that its demands be met.

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