'Have taken steps to assure job security, health facilities for civic workers'

Steps have been taken to emphasise job security for civic workers, school fees for children, housing and free medical facility, assured National Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman Venkateshan and State Commission Chairman M Shivanna.

Chairing a meeting of officials at the deputy commissioner's office here, on Monday, Venkateshan said, "The problems faced by safai karmacharis would be discussed in a high-level meeting and measures will be taken to resolve them. A delegation will meet Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in a couple of days and discuss the issues."

Pourakarmika leaders, who attended the meeting, stressed on health facilities and education for their children, and job security.

Venkateshan also watched a video of a pourakarmika colony in a pathetic condition, in HD Kote taluk. Irked over this, he took the officials to task. He asked them if they have visited the colony and inspected the condition of the houses. "Will you stay in such a house?" he asked.

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One of the district-level members of the commission demanded identity cards for civic workers, that would help them in getting various facilities and benefits.

Commenting on ill-treating civic workers, M Shivanna said, "The commission has the power to punish any officer. A few incidents of pourakarmikas being attacked at Udupi has come to our notice. Such incidents will be considered seriously. A survey will be conducted to collect complete details of pourakarmikas in the state."

Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri, ZP CEO A M Yogesh and Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Shilpa Nag attended the meeting.

Later, Venkateshan and Shivanna visited a pourakarmika colony in Jyothi Nagar and interacted with the residents.