‘Appoint Pourakarmikas in the ratio of 1:500 population’

Safai  Karmachari Commission Chairman writes to Chief Minister

Bengaluru: Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman Kote M. Shivanna has appealed Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa  to have one Pourakarmika per 500 population.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Shivanna said that at present, there is one Pourakarmika per 700 population in Bengaluru’s  BBMP  and other urban civic bodies in the State, including Mysuru City Corporation. But in the wake of growing population and the corresponding rise in waste generation, it is essential to have a Pourakarmika for every 500 population, he said. 

Pointing out that the Government had earlier decided to appoint Pourakarmikas for every 500 population, he said Pourakarmikas and Union leaders, taking note of this, are exerting pressure on the Commission for appointment.

Noting that the population in Mysuru and other cities and towns have multiplied since the last 10 years, Shivanna said that he has personally witnessed the plight of Pourakarmikas who work under trying conditions.

Maintaining that Poura-karmika leader IPD Salappa (IPD Salappa Committee Report) had recommended the then D. Devaraj Urs Government in 1977 for having a Public-Pourakarmika in the ratio of 1:500, he said that Bengaluru’s National Law School of India, which studied Pourakarmika issues in 2020-21 too has recommended the same. As such the Government should take measures to appoint Pourakarmikas in the ratio of 1:500 population for better redressal of civic issues in the State, he said in his letter.