‘Proposal to regularise service of civic workers to be submitted to govt’

A proposal will be submitted to the government to regularise the services of civic workers in the local bodies in the state, said State Safai Karmachari Commission chairman Kote M Shivanna.

Addressing reporters in Madikeri on Tuesday, he said that civic workers in City Corporations, City Municipal Councils, Town Municipal Councils, Town Panchayats and Gram Panchayats have been working on a contractual basis.

“A request will be made to the chief minister to regularise their services and to provide them with job security,” he said.

Shivanna said that a survey will be conducted to know the status of the educational qualification of children of civic workers. Based on the survey report, measures will be taken to provide higher education and jobs for them.

Information is being gathered on whether civic workers are covered under minimum wages in private establishments as well, he said.

He also directed concerned authorities to completely stop manual scavenging.

Only modern machines should be used, he said and warned of initiating serious action against officials if manual scavenging is practised.

In a report by the National Law School of India, it is mentioned that only 3% of the government benefits have reached civic workers. Shivanna lamented that even after seven decades of independence, the facilities have not reached the needy.

“Efforts are being made to provide housing facilities under ‘Gruha Bhagya’ scheme, for the civic workers in all local bodies of the state. Also, restrooms will be built for them in the wards of city corporations. The programme will be implemented in BBMP limits on a pilot basis,” he said.

State Safai Karmachari Commission members Nagaraju, Venkatesh, district committee members Palani Prakash, social welfare department deputy director Shekhar and CMC commissioner S V Ramdas were present.

‘Provide salary’

Conducting a meeting of officials at the DC’s office, Kote Shivanna directed the officials to provide salaries to the civic workers in the local bodies and other government departments, as per the government orders.

Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal warned of initiating stern measures against officials who do not provide provident fund facility to civic workers.

She also directed the labour officer to gather information from the local bodies and departments on the same.

The Safai Karmachari Commission chairman listened to the woes of civic workers, during a programme held at Cauvery Kala Kshetra.

He also visited the colony of civic workers and later inspected the land allotted for the housing of civic workers near Ukkuda.