Hubli
Karnataka Slum Development Board (KSDB) Chairman and MLA Prasad Abbayya reprimanded Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) officials for their negligence in addressing the needs of pourakarmikas. A review meeting was chaired by Abbayya with the officials to discuss issues faced by these workers.
It was stated by Abbayya that the pourakarmikas are working tirelessly from morning until evening to keep the cities clean. He urged the officials to work towards improving their conditions and to establish a strong relationship with them.
It was informed by Abbayya that 543 workers would be brought under direct payment, with 134 already included in the first phase. The registration process for the remaining workers must be completed within two months, as per his directive.
Officials were instructed to form a committee to identify fake workers who are being paid under the direct payment system. He also urged the removal of these fake workers and requested the workers’ association to provide a list of such workers. Contractors delaying the salaries were warned to be blacklisted.
In the meeting, pourakarmikas raised complaints about the lack of social security and benefits provided by HDMC, especially after a worker’s death. It was demanded that insurance and claims be provided to the families of the deceased. HDMC officials were urged to address these issues in the next meeting.
