Chandigarh, October 24:- In a significant move to address the long-standing issues faced by the Safai Karamcharis, the Vice President of the National Safai Karamchari Commission, Mrs. Anjana Panwar, convened a meeting today at Municipal Corporation building, Sector 17, Chandigarh. The meeting was attended by Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, MC, Chandigarh and various key officers/officials of MC Chandigarh and Chandigarh Administration, a large number of Safai Karamcharis and representatives of their unions, along with representatives from service provider agencies.

Mrs. Anjana Panwar, while addressing the audience, inquired about several critical issues faced by the Safai Karamcharis. She discussed their salary structures, regularity of payments, provision of uniforms and protective gear, housing, and access to social security schemes. Her approach was direct, seeking immediate and actionable feedback from the workers and their representatives.

“Every Safai Karamchari deserves timely payment for their hard work,” Mrs. Panwar stated emphatically. “The contractors managing outsourced Safai Karamcharis must ensure that salaries are disbursed between the 1st and 7th of every month. She said that this month’s salary be released to all the Safai Karmcharis before Diwali including bonus as per rules. It is the responsibility of the municipal body officials to enforce this rule without fail as principal employer of the Safai Karmcharis.”

A major part of the discussion focused on the health and safety of the Safai Karamcharis. Mrs. Panwar highlighted the necessity of providing proper uniforms, raincoats, jackets, and shoes to the workers, especially given the harsh weather conditions they often face.