Mysore/Mysuru:  State Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman M. Shivanna said that the services of 11,133 direct payment Pourakarmikas serving in Urban Local Bodies in the State will be regularised in the first phase.

He was speaking at a press meet after holding a meeting on Pourakarmika grievances at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here yesterday.

Pointing out that 12,867 more Pourakarmikas will be regularised in the second phase, Shivanna said that the officials have been instructed to mandatorily conduct health check up of Pourakarmikas.

Observing that Pourakarmikas often face health issues because of their nature of work, he said that the authorities have been directed to issue safety kits to Pourakarmikas. A work order for manufacture and supply of area specific safety equipment has been issued, he added.

Stating that spots have been identified for construction of Pourakarmika rest houses, Shivanna said that select Pourakarmikas were recently sent on a study tour to Gujarat and Singapore, following which an action plan on implementing the good ideas found there has been prepared.

Noting that little data was available regarding cleaning personnel (house keeping staff) serving at Government and Private Hospitals, bus stands etc., Shivanna said that a survey of such personnel would be carried out to find out their social, economic and academic status. The survey of such personnel has already begun at Mysuru and Ballari, he said adding that ID cards would be issued to cleaning personnel after completion of the survey.

Continuing, Shivanna said that Pourakarmikas used to get Rs. 20 as breakfast allowance daily, which has now been hiked to Rs. 35. Maintaining that Pourakarmika children are being admitted at Morarji Desai and other private prestigious schools, he said that meritorious Pourakarmika children are presented Pratibha Puraskar at district levels. A documentary on Pourakarmika children who went on to become IAS, IPS Officers and who held or holding other top positions is being made, he added.

DC Dr. K.V. Rajendra said that apart from MCC, the services of 306 Pourakarmikas is being regularised. Also, wages are paid in time along with statutory benefits, he added.

Pointing out that the authorities have been instructed to issue wage slips every month to Pourakarmikas, he said that Community Halls (Samudaya Bhavan) will be let out at a discounted fee for Pourakarmikas celebrating the wedding of their children or  other functions.

The DC further said that 158 Pourakarmikas have been selected under Gruha Bhagya Scheme. Also applications were invited for appointment of 205 Pourakarmikas, following which a provisional list of 170 candidates has been published, for which objections, if any, has been invited.

Zilla Panchayat (ZP) CEO K.M. Gayathri, the Commission Secretary Chandrakala, Social Welfare Department Joint Director Rangegowda and others were present.