DW BUREAU / PATIALA Anjna Pawar, Member, National Commission on Safai Karamchari, held an important meeting at the Municipal Corporation Office with the officers of the district, executive officers of the Municipal Councils and representatives of the sanitary workers regarding the issues of the sweepers. Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Hans and Municipal Commissioner Vineet Kumar were also present in the meeting. Anjna Pawar said that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the issues of sanitary workers working with MCs and to resolve them with the help of authorities, immediately. She directed the officers to extend the benefits of the schemes of the government for the welfare of the weaker sections of the society especially the sweepers to the needy and to ensure better health care facilities to them. She emphasized on creating a conducive environment for sanitary workers and proper immunization as sweepers are most at risk of diseases. She further said that regular medical check-ups of the workers and their family members should be ensured every three months and blood group must be written in the identity card of each employee. During the meeting, the commission member listened to the problems of the sanitary workers' representatives and assured them that these problems would be resolved soon. She said that pending cases of ex-gratia grant of the deceased should be resolved on priority basis. She directed all the concerned officers to release the fixed salary to the sanitary workers on time. On this occasion, the Municipal Councils apprised that the salaries of the employees were being paid through the bank accounts. She directed the officials of SC Corporation to make the sanitary workers aware of the schemes of the state and central government, especially designed for improving their living standard. During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Hans said that the interests of the sanitary workers were being taken care of in the district and the instructions of the commission would be strictly followed in the district. He said that the sanitary workers who would do commendable work would be honored on 26th January and the children of the sweepers would be registered with the District Bureau of Employment and Enterprise to prepare them for the competitive examinations. Meanwhile, the union representatives submitted a demand that the DC rate be given to them as recommended by the Labour Department. On this issue, the Member, National Commission on Safai Karamchari assured them that all the legitimate demands would be met and she asked the authorities to provide relief. (editor@dailyworld.in)