Govt plans separate RTE quota for kids of civic workers

 The state government will contemplate providing a separate quota for children of pourakarmikas in elite private schools, especially institutions with residential facilities.

Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya told reporters in Bengaluru that the proposal to have a sub-quota for children of pourakarmikas under Right to Education (RTE) had been sought by various welfare groups of civic workers.

“The government is keen that there should be such a quota. The modalities will be discussed at a meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pertaining to all issues concerning pourakarmikas on February 3. Top officials of the social welfare, finance, education and urban development departments will be present at the meeting,” Anjaneya said.

The Tamil Nadu model, where such a sub-quota has been introduced for children of civic workers, will be studied.

He said the government will bear the admission fees of children of pourakarmikas. “Most of the parents are out all day at work. If the children of such civic workers are admitted to residential schools, not only will they get quality education but their day-to-day needs will also be taken care of,” Anjaneya said. He said the government will talk to school managements in this regard.

The minister said the February 3 meeting will also dwell at length on regularisation of contract pourakarmikas in the state. He said the state government is committed to improving the living conditions of pourakarmikas by providing them with health, education and other facilities. Labour suppliers exploited contract pourakarmikas by not paying minimum wages and social security benefits, the minister said.

Government jobs will be provided to a family member of those pourakarmikas who died while cleaning manholes, he said.