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Chairman Manhar Valjibhai Zala addressing the media at Chief Secretary Conference Hall Kohima on February 18. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, February 18 (MExN): The National Commission of India for Safai Karamcharis, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, led by Chairman Manhar Valjibhai Zala held a press conference at Chief Secretary Conference Hall Kohima on February 18.
Addressing the press conference, the Chairman said that the main objective of the commission visiting Nagaland and other states is to study and evaluate the Safai Karamcharis socio, economic and educational development in the state. He expressed happiness that in Nagaland everyone is treated equally and nobody is discrimination based on caste and there were no deaths related to manual scavenging in Nagaland.
He said that the Commission has directed the Chief Secretary to constitute State Monitoring Committee, District Vigilance Monitoring Committee and Sub Divisional Vigilance Monitoring Committee as per the Manual Scavenging Act, 2013 and to notify regarding the same to the commission. The Commission has appraised the Chief Secretary on necessary measures to be taken for the welfare of Safai Karamcharis in the state, he added.
He also stated that safety equipments have been distributed to some Safai Karamcharis and the Commission further directed the authorities to provide protective gear and safety equipment to all Karamcharis so as to prevent and protect them from any unwanted incidents and health hazards.
The Commission said that all Safai Karamcharis should get a health card under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and directed the authorities to provide facilities for separate changing rooms, bathroom water facilities etc for ladies and gents. Chairman also said that there are various schemes for the Safai Karamcharis in the country and urged the state government to implement the schemes and use the fund judiciously in skill development programs.
Chief Secretary in his brief review of Safai Karamachari pointed that, the reports which was taken from the DC’s shows that there was no manual scavenger in the State, but with the visit of the chairman, things have been clarified starting with manual scavenger. In this regard he said there will be a proper survey of manual scavenger in the state.
He further stated that, so far the Safai Karamachari have not been addressing as a targeted group, therefore he assured that, from here on the state government will seriously look into it and compare it with census figure and set as a target group not only for the purpose of reporting but for the upliftment of their well being.
