Delhi has become the first State in the country to ban manual scavenging and has barred the deployment of ‘safai karamcharis’ (cleaning staff) for manual sewer cleaning, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the `Swabhiman Diwas’ celebrations organised by Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis at Vigyan Bhawan, the Chief Minister said her government was providing all amenities to the safai karamcharis as per service rules and was taking steps to modernise their working and provide them proper training.
Ms. Dikshit said her government would also consider the demands raised by Chairman of the Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis Harnam Singh for their welfare.
She said the civic bodies would also be urged to regularise the services of those safai karamcharis, who have been working on contract basis for several years.
The event was also attended by Delhi Speaker Yoganand Shastri, Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami and Vice-Chairperson for National Commission for SC/ST Dr. Raj Kumar Verka among others.
