<p>Chennai: Under all-round attack on its handling of protests by conservancy workers demanding permanent jobs, the DMK dispensation on Thursday announced six schemes for the welfare of the sanitation workers, including free breakfast for those working in urban areas, priority for rural workers under a housing scheme, and a special drive to detect and treat diseases like tuberculosis (TB). </p><p>The decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister M K Stalin, hours after conservancy workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) were forcibly evicted from their protest site for 13 days following an order by the Madras High Court. </p>.DMK vs TN Governor face off again as Ravi criticises govt in I-day Speech; CM Stalin to boycott ‘At Home’ reception.<p>The crackdown invited widespread criticism from various opposition parties and activists who accused the DMK government of going back on its promise of not privatising sanitation jobs in urban local bodies. </p><p>Stalin came under intense criticism on social media for watching a special show of superstar Rajinikanth’s <em>Coolie</em> last night, hours before the crackdown was launched on the protesting workers. </p>.'Coolie' FDFS: From bursting crackers to full house bookings, Rajinikanth fans set the bar high.<p>Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who briefed the media after the Cabinet meeting, said the government will launch a special health scheme to detect and treat diseases like TB, and skin ailments affecting sanitation workers and enhancing the ex-gratia granted to the families of such workers who die in the line of their duty from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.</p><p>“The cabinet under Chief Minister Stalin has also decided to grant 35 per cent subsidy up to Rs 3.5 lakh and 6 per cent for conservancy workers who turn entrepreneurs. A sum of Rs 10 crore has been allotted for this and a new scheme will be launched to cover tuition, and hostel fees for children of sanitation workers,” Thennarasu said. </p><p>He also added that 30,000 urban houses under Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme will be allotted to rural conservancy workers over a period of three years. “Since we know it is difficult for conservancy workers to bring breakfast in the morning, the government has decided to provide free breakfast in urban areas. This scheme will start in Chennai to begin with and will be expanded to other urban local bodies gradually,” the minister added.</p><p>In a social media post, Stalin said his government will never compromise on the dignity of conservancy workers and announced that they will implement new schemes. “This is a government that always stands with and for the common people,” he added.</p>
<p>Chennai: Under all-round attack on its handling of protests by conservancy workers demanding permanent jobs, the DMK dispensation on Thursday announced six schemes for the welfare of the sanitation workers, including free breakfast for those working in urban areas, priority for rural workers under a housing scheme, and a special drive to detect and treat diseases like tuberculosis (TB). </p><p>The decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister M K Stalin, hours after conservancy workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) were forcibly evicted from their protest site for 13 days following an order by the Madras High Court. </p>.DMK vs TN Governor face off again as Ravi criticises govt in I-day Speech; CM Stalin to boycott ‘At Home’ reception.<p>The crackdown invited widespread criticism from various opposition parties and activists who accused the DMK government of going back on its promise of not privatising sanitation jobs in urban local bodies. </p><p>Stalin came under intense criticism on social media for watching a special show of superstar Rajinikanth’s <em>Coolie</em> last night, hours before the crackdown was launched on the protesting workers. </p>.'Coolie' FDFS: From bursting crackers to full house bookings, Rajinikanth fans set the bar high.<p>Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who briefed the media after the Cabinet meeting, said the government will launch a special health scheme to detect and treat diseases like TB, and skin ailments affecting sanitation workers and enhancing the ex-gratia granted to the families of such workers who die in the line of their duty from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.</p><p>“The cabinet under Chief Minister Stalin has also decided to grant 35 per cent subsidy up to Rs 3.5 lakh and 6 per cent for conservancy workers who turn entrepreneurs. A sum of Rs 10 crore has been allotted for this and a new scheme will be launched to cover tuition, and hostel fees for children of sanitation workers,” Thennarasu said. </p><p>He also added that 30,000 urban houses under Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme will be allotted to rural conservancy workers over a period of three years. “Since we know it is difficult for conservancy workers to bring breakfast in the morning, the government has decided to provide free breakfast in urban areas. This scheme will start in Chennai to begin with and will be expanded to other urban local bodies gradually,” the minister added.</p><p>In a social media post, Stalin said his government will never compromise on the dignity of conservancy workers and announced that they will implement new schemes. “This is a government that always stands with and for the common people,” he added.</p>