Free meal scheme for sanitation workers launched across Central region

The free meal scheme for sanitation workers was launched in the central region on Monday with Ministers and Collectors inaugurating the initiative in the districts.

In Tiruchi district, the scheme was launched to benefit 3,243 sanitation workers within the Corporation limits, 680 workers in Manapparai, Thuraiyur, Thuvakudi, Musiri, and Lalgudi municipalities, and 590 workers across 14 town panchayats.

Under the Corporation limits, the scheme will cover 3,243 workers, 3,050 for breakfast, and 193 for dinner, engaged in sanitation services across the 65 wards. The beneficiaries include 835 permanent workers, 1,790 contract workers, 250 domestic breeding checkers, and 368 truck drivers involved in sanitation activities.

Nutritious meals will be served in tiffin boxes along with insulated thermal carrying bags to keep the food warm. A total of 6,486 tiffin boxes and bags, two sets for each worker, have been procured for distribution in the city.

Collector V. Saravanan inaugurated the scheme at S. Kannanur in Manachanallur and distributed tiffin boxes and safety gear to the beneficiaries while Mayor M. Anbazhagan, along with Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan, launched it in the city.

In Karur, the scheme will benefit 1,719 sanitation workers. Breakfast items such as idli, pongal, kichadi, upma, vada, sambar, and chutney will be served between 9 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. A sum of ₹5.32 crore had been allocated for implementing the scheme over three years in the district, with the cost of each meal put at about ₹35, said V. Senthilbalaji, MLA, after inaugurating the scheme at Kamarajapuram.

The free meal scheme will benefit 593 sanitation workers in Pudukottai district. Minister for Natural Resources S. Regupathy launched the programme. Collector M. Aruna was present. The Minister said a welfare board for sanitation workers was established in 2007 and so far 3,27,232 workers had become members and were benefiting from various welfare schemes implemented by the government.

In Perambalur district, 467 permanent and contract sanitation workers engaged in garbage collection, drain cleaning, and anti-dengue drives in Perambalur municipality and the town panchayats of Kurumbalur, Arumbavur, Poolambadi, and Labbaikudikadu will benefit from the scheme. Minister for Transport S.S. Sivasankar inaugurated the scheme at Thuraimangalam. Collector N. Mirunalini was present.