In a first, sanitary staff to go on study tour

Rajinder S Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 7

You must have heard of politicians and bureaucrats going on study tours. But have you ever heard of safai karamcharis going on study tour? Probably not.

For the first time in the history of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation (MC), safai karamcharis will go on study tour, which will cover top 10 cleanest cities in the country, to understand their sanitation management system.

Giving details about the initiative, Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal, who is also Administrator said, “Sanitary workers are the main workforce in Swachh Survekshan. Therefore, we have decided to send them to top 10 cities of the Swachh Survekshan-2018.”

“These sanitary workers will be sent in different groups, which will be headed either by Executive Officer or the MC engineer. They will try to understand how these cities secured good marks in the Swachh Survekshan,” he added.

“Sanitary inspectors and supervisors will also accompany safai karamcharis. They will also arrange a meeting of Mayor and councillors of these cities with Panchkula sanitary workers. It will help in making them understand how Mayor and councillors of these cities contributed in their good ranking,” he said.

“As senior officials, including me, are aware of the system therefore, I have decided to give exposure to sanitary workers, supervisors and other staff,” added Jogpal.

Welfare scheme for sanitary workers

• Financial insurance in case of death increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The amount will be given from the MC fund. 
• Scholarship for children of sanitary workers, who will secure good marks in Class X, XII and other competitive exams. 
• Changing rooms will be constructed in all MC wards for sanitary workers. 
• Free training to promote talent of the staff and their children in cultural activities like singing and dancing. 
• Sanitary workers hired through outsourcing agencies will be engaged on contractual basis.