Mangaluru: M.R. Venkatesh, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Safai Karmacharis, said on Monday that the commission was giving top priority to the implementation of welfare schemes for safai karmacharis in the State.
Addressing reporters here, Mr. Venkatesh said there was now more focus on the health of safai karmacharis, with regular medical check-ups being held. The members of the commission visited all districts in the State, and Udupi was the last halt. When compared to other districts, safai karmacharis here had fewer problems, he said.
The government has increased the minimum salary of safai karmacharis to ₹17,000 a month. The system of appointing them on contract was abolished; they are appointed directly. The services of those working on contract will be regularised, he said.
The commission directed officials to give importance to integrated welfare of safai karmacharis. To ensure that children of safai karmcharis are not affected, seats are being reserved for them in prestigious schools and hostels. They are being provided free education till pre-university.
Though 1,600 seats were reserved schools, so far only 125 children have taken admission. Officers have now been directed to create awareness about the importance of education. An amount of ₹10 crore has been allocated under the Jyoti Sanjivini scheme for safai karmacharis, he said.