Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik launched a first-of-its-kind statewide scheme called “GARIMA” to ensure the safety and dignity of core sanitation workers of the state. He dedicated the scheme to Mahatma Gandhi.

It will be implemented by Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department through 114 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Odisha and an Initial Fund of Rs. 50 Crore will be allocated for implementation of the scheme. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development department, Odisha has signed a Ministry of Understanding (MoU) with not-for-profit organisation Urban Management Centre for providing the technical support to implement the scheme.

Key Points:

i.Under this scheme, 20, 000 core sanitation workers and their families covering one lakh population will be benefitted.

ii.The working hours of sanitation workers will be limited to 6 hours per day.

iii.The Core Sanitation workers and their family members will be covered under health insurance scheme with regular health check-ups, housing, educational support, mobility support and mobile support.

Registration of Core Sanitation Workers:

i.The scheme will identify and register core sanitation workers through statewide surveys. It also mandates registration of sanitation service providers.

ii.Through registration, the state government will ensure provision of necessary machines and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure safe working conditions.

Benefits of “GARIMA”:

i.It introduces a special category of wages for core sanitation work, introduction of Risk & Hardship allowance, financial assistance to family in case of accident or injury.

ii.It will also provide financial support in form of House Grant and purchase of two wheelers to extent of 90 per cent of the cost.

iii.The scheme also envisages Employee Provident Fund (EPF) benefits, post service benefits and illness allowance.

iv.The core sanitation workers will receive skilling and training to improve their skills. Additionally, they will get access to counselling support to acquire new skills and financial support. They can choose an alternative livelihood, if they wish.