JOIN USIn a decision that could bring cheers to the lives of nearly 15,000 rag-pickers in the City, the Karnataka government is going to introduce ‘Hasanmukhi Jeevana' scheme to give social security to them, besides offering training to generate money out of garbage through segregation.
Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Principal Secretary to the Department of Public Administration and Reforms said the proposal to introduce the scheme was sent to the Central government, which gave its approval.
She said the self-employed rag-pickers have been doing their work for ages, but they never had any recognition. Because of their contribution in segregating waste, at least 600 tonnes to 800 tonnes of waste did not go to the landfill sites.
Also they save Rs 13 lakh of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, which the civic agency would have paid for segregating waste, said Dr Rajneesh.
Now, the BBMP, along with the State government, has launched a drive to identify the rag-pickers.