Rs 1-cr insurance sought for sanitation workers

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 11

A day after a safai karamchari, who was on duty, suffered fractures in both legs when he was hit by a vehicle, the Safai Karamchari Andolan, an organisation working for the welfare of sanitation workers, has sought compensation for the injured employee.

Ashok Kumar (38) was hit by a vehicle on the road stretch between Dholewal and Sherpur Chowk Road. He was cleaning the central verge on the road when the mishap took place.

Subash Desawar, state convener of Safai Karamchari Andolan, said “We have sought early release of compensation to Ashok Kumar. We have also demanded from the government that at least Rs 1 crore insurance cover be provided to each sanitation worker in the state.”

“Safety of all sanitation workers on duty must be ensured. In case, any sanitation worker loses his/her life due to any mishap on duty, the government should provide at least Rs 1 crore as compensation to his/her family. Even if any sanitation worker suffers a major disability (making him unable to continue in service) in a mishap on duty, the same amount of compensation must be provided to him/her. In case of death or permanent disability, a regular job should also be provided to the next of kin of the victim. The compensation amount must be released within a fixed time frame after the accident,” he added.

Former MLA Tarsem Jodhan said: “At this time of Covid crisis, the sanitation workers are already exposed to high risk while performing their duty. The government should use its special powers and release compensation amount to the injured.”

Chairman of Municipal Employees Sangharsh Committee Ashwani Sahota said they had put up their demand before the MC authorities that compensation should be provided to the injured employee and his wife given a job.

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