The Delhi government is promoting mechanical sweeping and garbage collection by giving funds to the MCD for procuring 1,000 litter-picking machines, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Wednesday.
Addressing a gathering of sanitation workers at ‘Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir’, the chief minister said after the 1,000 litter-picker machines are suitably deployed, the government will increase their numbers.
She further said the government has provided funds to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for procuring mechanical sweeping machines, including 70 large ones.
The Delhi government on Tuesday decided to provide funds to the MCD for procuring 30 small-sized mechanical sweepers to ensure cleaning and dust removal in narrow lanes and streets of the city, the chief minister said.
Lauding the sanitation workers for their hard work to keep the city clean, Gupta said her government is providing them with machines and tools and also ensuring their welfare through schemes related to health and education.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar and Union Minister of State BL Verma also attended the programme held at the MCD headquarters.
The camp brought care and welfare closer to our ‘safai mitras’, ‘swachhagrahis’ (sanitation workers) and their families through preventive health check-ups, access to welfare schemes of the Centre and Delhi government, and distribution of PPE (personal protective equipment) and safety kits, Delhi CMO said in a post on X.
“Our safai mitras are the strength behind a Swachh Delhi. Delhi government expresses its deepest gratitude for their invaluable service and remains committed to their dignity, safety and welfare,” the post read.
Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kumar said the government is committed to ensuring safety, dignity and socio-economic empowerment for sanitation workers, asserting that no worker should lose their life while cleaning a sewer or septic tank.
“Safai mitras are not merely guardians of cleanliness; they also play an important role in building a clean and healthy India. Therefore, we all must collectively work for their respect, safety, health and socio-economic empowerment,” he said.
The minister said the contribution of sanitation workers cannot be forgotten or overlooked as their work helps keep cities and towns clean, and reduces the burden of diseases and hospital expenditure.
-PTI
