New Delhi, 26 August: Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that permanent solutions would be found to the problems faced by sanitation workers. He said that if necessary, appropriate amendments would be made to the law to address their concerns. Meghwal also directed the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) to submit a draft proposal in this regard at the earliest.

Meghwal said he would also take up the issues concerning sanitation workers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advocate for measures aimed at improving their standard of living and resolving their long-standing problems.

He made the announcement on Tuesday at a function held at the Constitution Club of India in the national capital to mark the completion of 32 years since the establishment of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis. The event was led by NCSK Vice-Chairperson Hardeep Singh Gill. Sanitation workers from various states, leaders of employee organisations and representatives of various institutions associated with the Valmiki community attended the programme. On the occasion, Gill also read out a congratulatory message from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Meghwal said the Central Government would soon construct a memorial dedicated to the unsung heroes of the Valmiki community. The memorial would feature photographs of prominent figures who made contributions in the social and religious spheres as well as during India’s freedom struggle.

Meghwal said the foundation day was not merely an occasion to celebrate the journey of an institution, but also an opportunity to honour the contributions of millions of sanitation workers who work every day to keep the country’s cities, villages, institutions and public spaces clean and safe.

He said that as India moves towards becoming a developed nation, its sanitation systems must also become modern, scientific, technology-driven and fully aligned with human dignity. No human life should be put at risk for work that can be performed safely by machines, he stressed.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale also addressed the gathering and emphasised the effective implementation of schemes aimed at improving the living standards of sanitation workers. He praised their valuable contribution to protecting public health, maintaining environmental cleanliness and promoting the overall welfare of the country.

Athawale stressed that every sanitation worker is entitled to dignity, safety, equal opportunities and social justice. He said technology must replace unsafe practices and mechanisation must be adopted in place of hazardous entry into confined spaces. There can be no compromise on the safety of sanitation workers, he asserted.

NCSK Vice-Chairperson Hardeep Singh Gill said sanitation workers play a crucial role in serving the nation and that protecting their rights and dignity is a collective responsibility. He said the efforts of sanitation workers help keep cities and villages across the country clean. Therefore, they should not be viewed merely as workers engaged in sanitation services, but as individuals entitled to dignity, safety and a better quality of life.

The programme began with the singing of Vande Mataram and the national anthem. A missed-call number aimed at facilitating sanitation workers and a calendar featuring a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with sanitation workers were also released on the occasion. NCSK member Karam Singh Karma and MP Anoop Pradhan also shared their views.

The event was described as the first programme of its kind organised to honour sanitation workers since the establishment of the commission in 1994.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar