Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi today underscored the state’s unwavering commitment to the safety, dignity, and inclusion of sanitation workers, while participating as the chief guest at a two-day national workshop titled ‘Transforming Core Sanitation Work- Safety, Dignity & Inclusion’ held at the Lok Seva Bhavan Convention Centre.
Addressing attendees, including government officials and sanitation workers from seven states and various districts of Odisha, Chief Minister Shri Majhi declared, “The workshop being organized today is not just a meeting, it is our commitment to the safety and dignity of the sanitation workers who constantly keep our city clean. It is our moral responsibility to provide them justice, safety and dignity.”
In a series of significant announcements, the Chief Minister unveiled several welfare initiatives for key sanitation workers (those engaged in sewage and septic tank cleaning):
- Life Insurance: A life insurance cover of ₹10 lakh.
- Ex-gratia for Fatalities: Assistance of ₹30 lakh for loss of life in the line of duty.
- Mobile Phones: Provision of mobile phones to key sanitation workers.
- Housing: Provision of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).
- IEC Activity: A 15-day statewide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign from August 15 to 30 to expand the sanitation program.
- Annual Workshop: Odisha will host a national workshop on sanitation workers’ welfare annually.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi highlighted the deep-rooted connection of cleanliness to Odisha’s culture, citing the ‘Chera Panhara’ ritual during the Rath Jatra as an example emphasizing the dignity of sanitation work. He lauded Odisha’s ‘Garima Yojana’ for ensuring the safety, dignity, and social security of sanitation workers, noting its success in fulfilling national sanitation targets and inspiring other states.
He also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pivotal role in elevating sanitation, referencing the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched on August 15, 2014, as a testament to Modi’s visionary thinking that links national growth with comprehensive sanitation.
Speaking about the Garima Yojana, the Chief Minister elaborated that it identifies and recognizes over 10,000 sanitation workers from 115 cities as skilled and highly skilled, providing them with identity, safety equipment, skill development, emergency sanitation service units, and social security benefits. He emphasized the workshop as a crucial platform for inter-state learning and collaboration.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mohapatra hailed sanitation workers as “unseen heroes” working in dangerous conditions, stressing the collective responsibility to ensure their rights and safety.
Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja praised Odisha’s leadership in sanitation and called for strengthening rural sanitation systems.
Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Union Government, commended Odisha’s commitment to worker welfare and reiterated the moral obligation to provide respect and protection.
Manvita Baradi, Founder Director, Urban Management Center, noted that other states are emulating Odisha’s Garima scheme for its comprehensive approach to worker empowerment.
The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Smt.Usha Padhi, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Additional Secretary Smt. Durgesh Nandini Sahu.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi also inaugurated and visited an exhibition showcasing modern sanitation and safety equipment.