GUWAHATI, Oct 25 - �Safai karamcharis (sanitation workers) of Guwahati often raise the allegation of non-implementation of various welfare schemes. Moreover, the number of permanent safai karamcharis in the city is also very small. These are some major issues which will have to be fixed,� member of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Dilip K Hathibed said here today.
Hathibed said this after a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (Metro), the Commissioner of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and representatives of the sanitation workers� body at the Circuit House.
Hathibed also said that after three months there would be another round of review to be held in Guwahati on implementation of various projects.
�In Assam, implementation of the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Awas Yojana is yet to start. It has been delayed due to the structural difference of administration. Now I hope the scheme will start soon,� he added.
According to the member of the Commission, which is run under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, sanitation workers of Guwahati are yet to benefit from various schemes of the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC). �Due to the technical problems in the administrative structure, the sanitation workers of Guwahati are yet to benefit from the NSKFDC. In this matter, I will talk with higher officials of the State government,� he said.
Hathibed also said, �Personally I think sanitation workers are the same as the Army. The Army protects our borders and the sanitation workers save us from various diseases. So they should get all kinds of facilities and benefits.�
Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the district administration, Hathibed today took stock of the current status of various schemes related to cleanliness and welfare of sanitation workers.
Moreover, after learning about the various grievances of the safai karamcharis of the city, Hathibed directed the officials concerned present at the meeting to address them immediately. He also stressed providing houses to the sanitation workers of Guwahati.
Vice Chancellor of the Gauhati University Dr Mridul Hazarika was also among those who were present at the meeting.
