Chikkamagaluru: Former minister and MLC C.T. Ravi has called for greater respect and welfare measures for civic workers, saying their contribution to keeping cities clean should be recognised by both the government and society.
Speaking at a Civic Workers’ Day programme held at the Chikkamagaluru City Municipal Council premises, Ravi invoked the principle of “Kayakave Kailasa” (work is worship) and said every profession deserved dignity.
He said Chikkamagaluru had earned a reputation as a clean city because of the sustained efforts of civic workers. However, garbage piles reported along the 60-feet Road, bypass road and parts of Uppalli Road indicated shortcomings in the sanitation system, he said.
Ravi also stressed the need to protect the city’s door-to-door garbage collection system, which was developed over years with the involvement of Swachh Trust and support from Dharmasthala.
Ravi called for speedy completion of housing projects for civic workers. Of the 76 houses being constructed, 54 have been completed, while work on 22 is pending.
He urged authorities to complete the remaining houses and identify government or Civic Amenity sites to provide plots and housing to workers who do not own homes. He also called for effective utilisation of the ₹7 lakh housing subsidy available for construction.
Ravi suggested bringing watermen under the direct payment system and urged the government to extend welfare benefits available to civic workers to them as well.
He also highlighted the concerns of more than 150 contract workers employed by the City Municipal Council, saying those who have served for years should not be left waiting for their legitimate benefits after reaching retirement age.
Welcoming the increase in the special allowance for civic workers from ₹7,000 to ₹10,000, Ravi suggested that the City Municipal Council consider providing at least ₹1,500 in financial assistance to contract workers from municipal funds.
He said elected representatives had a responsibility to stand with civic workers in both their hardships and achievements and ensure their dignity and welfare.
MLCs S.L. Bhoje Gowda and Gayathri Shanthe Gowda, CMC president Bhavya Manjunath, vice-president Lalitha Ravi Naik and municipal commissioner Basavaraj were among those present.