Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission chairman P. Raghu during an interactive session with pourakarmikas in Mysuru on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram
Chairman of the Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission, P. Raghu, said on January 22 that priority should be given to the construction of rest shelters for sanitation workers to enable them to have meals and rest after finishing their duties.
Presiding over a progress review meeting held at the Zilla Panchayat, Mr. Raghu instructed urban local bodies to discuss the difficulties faced in constructing rest shelters with senior officials and resolve the issues at the earliest.
He further noted that providing life insurance to sanitation workers would be highly beneficial and directed officials to ensure that life insurance coverage is made mandatory for all sanitation workers.
Concerns have been raised regarding agencies responsible for deploying sanitation workers at KSRTC bus stands, as they appear to be employing fewer workers than necessary and failing to offer proper wages. He directed officials to look into the matter. He also said that sanitation workers who do not own house sites or houses should be provided with housing facilities on a priority basis.
Lakshmikant Reddy G., Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru, who was present at the meeting, said complaints had been received that agencies had not paid PF and ESI contributions for sanitation workers employed at the APMC last year. He instructed the concerned officials to verify the matter and initiate appropriate action against the agencies responsible.
He also said that sharing information about outsourced service-providing agencies that have been blacklisted by the Labour Department with all departments would help prevent these agencies from receiving work orders.
Commission secretary Sumai Ruhi instructed officials to submit a comprehensive report to the Commission on the issuance of identity cards, payslips, PF and ESI payments and life insurance coverage for sanitation workers.
Yukesh Kumar, Zilla Panchayat CEO, Sheikh Tanveer Asif, Commissioner of the Mysuru City Corporation and other officials were present.
Published – January 22, 2026 06:50 pm IST
