Date:06/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/06/stories/2006040614060500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Policy to uplift pourakarmikas on anvil

Staff Reporter

Kumaraswamy to convene a meeting of leaders of pourakarmikas' sangha on their demands

Kin of 15 pourakarmikas who died while on duty to get compensation soon
Sangha president Narayan places a list of demands of pourakarmikas

Pourakarmikas seek uniform wages, abolition of contract labour, and regularisation of service

IN RAPT ATTENTION: A section of the crowd at the Ambedkar Bhavan in Bangalore where the convention of the Karnataka State Pourakarmikas was held on Wednesday. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday announced that the State Government would soon come out with a comprehensive policy for improving the service conditions of pourakarmikas.

`Pro-poor'

Speaking at a convention of pourakarmikas here, he said, "Our Government is pro-poor and we won't disappoint the pourakarmikas."

Karnataka Rajya Nagara Palike, Nagara Sabhe, Pura Sabhegala Pourakarmikara Mahasangha had organised the convention to celebrate the birth anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said that he would convene a meeting of the office-bearers of the sangha and hold discussions with the officials of the Social Welfare Department on the grievances of pourakarmikas.

The Government would react positively to their demands, keeping in mind the finances of the State, the Chief Minister said.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa announced that he would take steps to provide compensation to the kin of 15 pourakarmikas who died while cleaning gutters in different parts of the State three years ago. Mr. Yediyurappa said that the Karnataka Development Front Government was the first to allocate adequate funds for the development of the oppressed and weaker sections of society.

Minister for Small-scale Industries Katta Subramanya Naidu, Minister for Sports and Youth Services Alkod Hanumanthappa, sangha president Narayan, working president B. Peddanna, vice-president M. Subbarayudu, and general secretary A. Zeyarim were present.

Earlier, Mr. Narayan, who placed a list of demands, said that for the first time in the history of pourakarmikas, a Chief Minister had participated in their function.

The demands of pourakarmikas included uniform wages according to the Minimum Wages Act; abolition of contract labour system and regularisation of service; considering pourakarmikas as government employees for retirement/death benefits; filling vacancies of pourakarmikas throughout the State; subsidised housing project; and foodgrains at subsidised rates.