Ashok Gehlot bats for safety of sanitation workers

JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday directed district collectors and municipal authorities to ensure that no sanitation worker is allowed to enter sewerage chambers for cleaning and machines be used to carry out the job.
He said another survey would be carried out to find out eligible people who were left out of the financial assistance during lockdown following complaints raised by some representatives.
Gehlot was interacting with public representatives of urban bodies and employees through video conferencing from the Chief Minister's residence on Monday. Around 1,600 participants from 196 urban bodies were involved in the event.
Gehlot said the dedication by representatives of sanitation workers and urban bodies had helped to contain the spread of corona. “The hard work of all of you including the doctors, nursing workers, anganwadi workers and police has increased the honour and respect of Rajasthan in the country.”
Gehlot said for the last four months, Rajasthan has managed to control corona. Sanitation workers have played a big role in keeping the city, streets and neighborhood free from infection by risking their lives. The state government provided Rs 1,000 to safai karmacharis for masks, gloves, sanitizers and other safety material so that they would avoid contracting infection while working as frontline workers. Rajasthan is also the first state to provide an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh to corona warriors.
UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal said during the lockdown, urban bodies distributed 3.2 crore packets of food at their own level to the needy through public assistance. Besides, 1.70 crore kg of fodder, 4.80 lakh kg of feed to birds were distributed. He said 47.75 lakh masks and face covers made by women self-help groups were distributed to corona warriors, destitute people and state offices.
Health minister Raghu Sharma said earlier there was no Covid test facilities in Rajasthan, but now the state has acquired the ability to perform 40,000 tests per day.
Chief secretary Rajeeva Swarup said along with their regular duties, the municipal workers have also played a leading role in the funeral of those passed away due to corona.