Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, today, announced significant insurance benefits for sanitation workers in the state.
During the inauguration of a two-day national workshop on ‘Transforming Core Sanitation Work — Safety, Dignity & Inclusion,’ organized by the state’s Housing and Urban Development Department in Bhubaneswar, Majhi announced a life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh for Sewer Entry Professional (SEP) certified Core Sanitation Workers (CSWs) under the GARIMA Scheme.
Furthermore, the Odisha CM also announced a compensation of Rs 30 lakh for the families of sanitation workers who lose their lives while on duty, particularly those involved in cleaning sewage and septic tanks.
“It is our moral responsibility to provide sanitation workers justice, safety and dignity,” Majhi emphasized.
“Today in Bhubaneswar, a two-day workshop has been organised for sanitation workers… PM Modi’s cleanliness measures have become a mass movement. In our workshop, we discussed ways to enhance the safety, respect, and overall well-being of sanitation workers… We have already marked 10,000 sanitation workers based on their skills. We honour them, give them prizes, and provide support so they receive additional incentives. We have also announced that this workshop will be held annually,” the CM said, speaking to news agency ANI.
“Additionally, we announced insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh for them, and for those who die during duty, we will provide Rs 30 lakhs. We also give them free mobile phones and a house for their families..,” Majhi added.
In addition to these financial protections, the CM also announced the distribution of mobile phones for Grade-I CSWs and housing assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) for eligible sanitation workers.
To ensure workers are aware of these new provisions, a 15-day state-wide campaign will be launched starting August 15.
He said the Jagannath culture also spreads the message of cleanliness.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that Odisha’s existing Garima Yojana, a social welfare scheme for sanitation workers, has served as an inspiration for other states. He noted that over 10,000 sanitation workers across 115 cities and towns in Odisha have already been identified to receive benefits under this scheme.
“Today’s workshop is an important platform. From this platform, sanitation workers from different states can learn a lot from each other’s experiences,” he said.
Representatives of seven states were participating in it.
On this occasion, the CM inaugurated an exhibition of modern equipment related to sanitation work. He also felicitated some sanitation workers.
