CM Stalin govt approves 30,000 new houses for workers in urban areas; Rs 5 lakh additional relief to next of kin
Thennarasu announced that the cabinet also approved a new higher education assistance scheme, covering the tuition, hostel and books fees of wards of cleanliness workers, regardless of the school they attend.
State Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister MK Stalin
CHENNAI: Facing flak from allies and opposition over the impasse in resolving the grievances of protesting cleanliness workers in the city, the state cabinet on Thursday approved six new welfare schemes for the workers, including an additional Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kin of workers dying on duty and a housing scheme under which 30,000 houses will be constructed for cleanliness workers in urban Tamil Nadu.
Briefing media persons after a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister MK Stalin at the state Secretariat, Tamil Nadu Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu said a special scheme for diagnosing and treating skin- and lung-related diseases among cleanliness workers will be implemented, and Rs 5 lakh compensation will be disbursed to the families of workers who die on duty (in addition to the Rs 5 lakh provided by the Conservancy Workers Welfare Board).
Thennarasu announced that the cabinet also approved a new higher education assistance scheme, covering the tuition, hostel and books fees of wards of cleanliness workers, regardless of the school they attend.
The 30,000 houses in urban areas will be constructed in three years in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board, while in rural areas, workers without houses will be prioritised under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme.
The ministry also cleared a new scheme to provide 35% subsidy, up to Rs 3.5 lakh maximum and 6% interest subsidy to cleanliness workers to start their own business. An allocation of Rs 10 crore per annum will be made for the scheme. Also, a free breakfast scheme for urban cleanliness workers will be implemented through local bodies, starting with the Chennai Corporation limits.
Thennarasu also appealed to the workers to end their strike and return to duty, considering public welfare. To a query about the regularisation of the jobs, the minister said the verdict in a related case was reserved by the Madras High Court and another was pending before tribunal, and it was subject to the case outcome.
Adding that the schemes announced on Thursday would apply to all conservancy workers, Thennarasu said that solid waste management was privatised and implemented through Self Help Groups and the current problem was related to zones V and VI of the Chennai Corporation.
WHAT’S IN THE KITTY
Rs 5 lakh, in addition to the existing Rs 5 lakh, for the families of workers who die on duty
Education assistance covering tuition and hostel fees of children cleanliness workers
Scheme for diagnosing and treating skin- and lung-related diseases
30,000 houses for workers in urban areas to be constructed in three years
35% subsidy, up to Rs 3.5 lakh, and 6% interest subsidy for workers to start business
Free breakfast for urban cleanliness workers
