Nagara Bandhu scheme to provide jobs to ragpickers in Chikkaballapur

The CMC is confident of the successful implementation of the project

One such innovation of the Chikkaballapur CMC is the Nagara Bandhu scheme.
The primary thrust of the scheme is to provide employment to ragpickers in addition to keeping the environment clean and tidy.

So far the CMC has only been focusing on garbage collection at doorstep,  waste disposal by huge lorries and ban on use of plastic which is lesser than 40 microns.

However, under the Nagara Bandhu scheme the focus has shifted from waste disposal to providing employment to ragpickers.

The CMC has already had first round of talks with the children and the old among
ragpickers. If all goes well, within 15 days employment opportunities will be created to rag pickers.

 With every passing day management and disposal of garbage is becoming a menace. Despite adopting several methods and undertaking several innovations, the CMC has not been able to manage garbage efficiently in the City.

Considering this the CMC has come up with the new idea of providing job opportunities to ragpickers. Nagara Bandhu project is at its initial stage. First round of talks have already been held with rag pickers near Santhe Bazaar in the City. The CMC officers paid a visit to ragpickers at their makeshift tents, instead of asking them to visit the office.

Serious deliberations are underway at the Chikkaballapur CMC to provide jobs to ragpickers, who for generations have been eking out living as rag pickers. CMC commissioner, president, members and staffers have evinced great interest in the implementation of the scheme.

The CMC officers are confident about the successful implementation of Nagara Bandhu scheme.

In progress

However, talks with ragpickers near Kandavara on the outskirts of the City, is in progress.

As many as 50 ragpickers are expected to get jobs under the scheme. Under the scheme, as many as 50 rag pickers will be chosen. Every day the selected ragpickers should visit various layouts in the City and collect garbage. Also, they should collect waste from the garbage pits. Moreover, every household shall pay Rs 10 to Rs 15 to ragpickers, said CMC Health Inspector Hyder Ali.

The aim of the Nagara Bandhu scheme is to provide jobs to ragpickers in addition to maintaining cleanliness in the City. The scheme is going to be first of its kind in the district, he added.