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Kejri’s sops for dhobi community

Promises welfare board, regularisation of press stands among others
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AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal being greeted by Mukesh Goel, party candidate from the Adarsh Nagar constituency, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
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AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced the formation of a welfare board for dhobis in the national capital, if voted to power. Kejriwal unveiled a series of seven guarantees, including regularising press stands, resuming the halted licensing process for Dhobis, charging electricity and water at domestic rates and providing education, scholarships and skill training opportunities for their children.

Representatives from the Delhi Dhobi Mahasabha also met Arvind Kejriwal on the occasion, extending their support to AAP.

“As the national convener of the AAP and a chief ministerial candidate, I accept the demands of the Dhobi community and announce that if our government is formed, the Delhi Government will establish a Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board.” he said.

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The AAP chief said the Dhobi community faced various issues from time to time. “When a problem arises, they search for a leader to address it. They approach one leader and then another, pleading in different places. The Dhobi community does not have a single platform to voice their issues. If the Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board is established, it will become a platform where Dhobis from all over Delhi can present their issues and suggestions. Additionally, policies can be formulated to improve the Dhobi community and their profession across Delhi,” he added.

He said several stands were not regularised, resulting in harassment from the administration and the police.

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Kejriwal said the licensing process for Dhobis would be resumed. The former Delhi CM said they earn very little from this work and had to cover several expenses.

“With such low earnings, it is challenging to manage these costs. Surprisingly, Dhobis are charged commercial rates for water and electricity. Hence, I announce that electricity and water rates for all Dhobi communities and their profession in Delhi will be converted to domestic rates. They will not be charged commercial rates,” he said.

“Appropriate arrangements for scholarships and quality education will be made for the children of the Dhobi community. Youth from the Dhobi community will be provided skill training for their traditional profession or other trades so that they can improve their livelihood and raise their standard of living,” he added.

Ravi Kumar, president of the Delhi Dhobi Mahasabha, said there had been discussions for a long time about establishing a board for the Dhobi community.

“We receive no attention in several government departments, and we face numerous challenges. Our children struggle for scholarships, and we have made significant efforts to build press stands across Delhi, but obstacles are always put in our way. With the establishment of the Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board, we will have a single-window system that will provide us with access to Delhi Government policies. For this, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Arvind Kejriwal on behalf of the entire Dhobi community.” Kumar said.

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