In a significant move to address the long-standing issues faced by the Safai Karamcharis, the Vice President of the National Safai Karamchari Commission, Anjana Panwar, convened a meeting at Sidhgora Town Hall. The meeting was attended by a large number of Safai Karamcharis and representatives of their union, along with officials from various municipal bodies and representatives from Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (Jusco).
The gathering saw the participation of several key officials, including Ranjit Lohara, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Mango Municipal Corporation; Krishna Kumar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC); Rajendra Gupta, District Welfare Officer; and the Executive Officers of Jugsalai Municipal Council and Chakulia Municipal Panchayat.
Anjana Panwar, while addressing the audience, inquired about several critical issues faced by the Safai Karamcharis. She discussed their salary structures, regularity of payments, provision of uniforms and protective gear, housing, and access to social security schemes. Her approach was direct, seeking immediate and actionable feedback from the workers and their representatives.
“Every Safai Karamchari deserves timely payment for their hard work,” Panwar stated emphatically. “The contractors managing outsourced Safai Karamcharis must ensure that salaries are disbursed between the 1st and 7th of every month. It is the responsibility of the municipal body officials to enforce this rule without fail.”
A major part of the discussion focused on the health and safety of the Safai Karamcharis. Panwar highlighted the necessity of providing proper uniforms, raincoats, jackets, and shoes to the workers, especially given the harsh weather conditions they often face.
“The nature of work performed by Safai Karamcharis exposes them to a higher risk of health issues,” she said. “It is crucial to conduct comprehensive health checkups every six months, including ECGs, blood tests, and screenings for other serious diseases. This will ensure early detection and treatment of potential health problems.”
Further emphasizing the need for economic stability and security, Panwar instructed municipal officials to ensure that Safai Karamcharis receive their honorarium at revised rates. She also directed that any arrears should be paid from the date the new rates were implemented.
“To safeguard the future of our Safai Karamcharis, we must provide them with comprehensive social security,” Panwar asserted. “This includes ensuring that they are covered under schemes like the Awas Yojana and Pension Yojana. A survey report must be submitted within the next 15 days to ascertain how many Safai Karamcharis are currently benefiting from these schemes.”
In a stern directive, Panwar insisted that Safai Karamcharis should not be assigned to clean large drains or tanks, a practice that has been life-threatening in many instances. She emphasized that all Safai Karamcharis, whether they are outsourced, working on a daily wage, or employed through any other means, must have their social security ensured.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from all attending officials to implement the directives issued by the Vice President of the National Safai Karamchari Commission. The representatives from the Safai Karamcharis union expressed their gratitude for the attention given to their concerns and hoped for prompt action on the issues discussed.
As the meeting adjourned, there was a palpable sense of optimism among the Safai Karamcharis. With clear directives from the Commission and promises of better oversight from municipal authorities, many felt that a new chapter of dignity and respect was beginning for these essential workers.
