NCSK chairman assures support to sanitation workers
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, October 09 2021: National Commission of Safai Karamcharis chairman M Venkatesan on Saturday held a meeting with chief secretary, additional chief secretary, administrative secretaries and directors of various departments, Municipal Commissioner, Imphal Municipal Corporation and Imphal Municipal Employees' Union president N Nimbus Singh.

The meeting held to review implementation of "The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013' was held at the Conference Hall of Manipur Secretariat (South block).

During the meeting, M Venkatesan emphasised on improving and developing the economic and health condition of the workers.

As Manipur have no street scavengers unlike in other states street sweepers are included in the list, he said and enquired whether they are given wages or salaries as prescribed by the government.

In response, officials present at the meeting informed him that in the state sweepers are categorised in two groups - regular and daily wages/muster roll.

Regular employees draw monthly salaries like any other government employees whereas daily wages/muster roll employees are given minimum wages as prescribed by the government.

They also enjoy benefits of welfare schemes such as CMHT provided if they fulfil the eligibility criteria along the paid holidays during festivals, the officials elaborated and conveyed that at present, there are 250 employees working under Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) and while those working under 10 NGOs numbers around 400.The officials represented departments of Home, Forest & Environment, TA & Hills, Fisheries, Transport, Horticulture & SC, GAD, Health & FW, MAHUD, Labour & Employment, Social Welfare, Vety & AH, MOBC & SC, Water Resource, MI, Relief & DM, etc.

Later in the evening, Imphal West DC organised an interaction programme for safai kamacharis with the NSCK chairman at the lawn of DC Office Complex Lamphelpat during which M Venkatesan encouraged the workers to air any problems faced by them related to their works so as to bring about solutions.

He informed that the commission for Safai Karamachari was established solely for them.

While acknowledging services being rendered by them in day to day life, the chairman said he understands the problem faced by the sanitation workers as he is also a son of safai karamachari workers.

He also informed the attendees that it has been seven months since he assumed charge as the chairman and has already visited nine states.

The interaction programme was also attended by Imphal Municipal Corporation municipal commissioner, Imphal West Zilla Parishad CEO, all SDMs of Imphal West District, all BDOs of Imphal West District, all EOs of Municipalities of Imphal West District, Imphal West District chief medical officer, district level officials (Labour Dept), district social welfare officers and all Safai Karamcharis employees and their association leaders of Imphal West District.

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