Mysore/Mysuru: Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman P. Raghu has instructed officers to decide on the construction of restrooms for Pourakarmikas.

Speaking at a review meeting held at D. Devaraj Urs meeting hall in Zilla Panchayat premises here yesterday, Raghu stressed the need for restrooms where Pourakarmikas can relax for a while after breakfast, noting that they are engaged in strenuous cleaning work every day.

“Pourakarmikas play a pivotal role in maintaining cleanliness and health. Officers should discuss the issue with higher authorities and find solutions to overcome existing hurdles,” he said.

He also directed officers to take a call on providing insurance cover, sites and housing facilities to Pourakarmikas. Those engaged in manual scavenging should be identified and educated about the law prohibiting the practice, with steps taken to mainstream them, he added.

Raghu drew attention to agencies that have secured cleaning tenders at KSRTC bus stands but employed inadequate staff, allegedly extracting excess work and delaying salaries.

Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy informed the Commission Chairman about a complaint against an agency for failing to remit Provident Fund (PF) and ESI contributions of Pourakarmikas who worked at the APMC during the previous financial year.

He suggested that sharing details of blacklisted agencies would help avoid issuing work orders to them and that monitoring bank passbooks of Pourakarmikas could help check irregularities in salary payments.

Safai Karmachari Commission Secretary Sumaiya Roohi directed officers to submit a comprehensive report on facilities such as identity cards, pay slips, PF, ESI and life insurance cover.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer S. Ukesh Kumar, Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif and other officials were present.