Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has announced that the government will take a policy decision to entrust the job of washing the clothes of government hospitals, hostels, residential schools and all other governmental organisations to the ‘Rajaka’ (washermen) community.
Announcing several sops to the washermen community, he said loans would be provided to the youth, de-linking with the banks for alternative provision of employment and a hostel-cum-community hall would be constructed on one acre land in city. A proposal to extend Asara pensions to washermen above 50 years of age would be examined, he said. A statue of revolutionary leader Chakali Ailamma, who rebelled against the feudal lords of the Telangana region under Nizam rule, would be installed in the city.
Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao held a meeting with the representatives of Washermen Association in Pragathi Bhavan here on Saturday and discussed their issues and problems. Former Minister Baswaraj Saraiah, Washermen Association State president Macharla Uppalaiah, executive president Manasa Ganesh and other members submitted a representation to the Chief Minister.
Responding to the memorandum positively, the Chief Minister said that dhobi ghats would be constructed in the State capital and other cities, district headquarters and towns. The washermen should discard the practice of drying clothes on the ground and put them on clothesline. Government would provide washing machines required to wash clothes in bulk in government hospitals, residential schools and that work would be entrusted to washermen, he said.
Layouts
An area should be earmarked in the layouts of HMDA and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and other cities and towns and given to washermen associations for washing and ironing clothes. Government would examine to supply power at subsidised rate to dhobi ghats and washing machines. Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao said a building would be constructed in the city for the social and educational development of Yerukula community and required land would be allocated by the government which would also bear entire expenditure for the building construction. Special programmes would be formulated to provide employment opportunities to the Yerukula community.
Telangana Yerukala Association President Kuthadi Ramulu, general secretary Lokini Raju and others met the Chief Minister and submitted a representation on their issues.