Pourakarmikas seek better security, healthcare and social benefits

According to officials, around 15,292 pourakarmikas are currently working in the city, of which 12,924 are permanent employees and 2,368 are daily wage employees. | Photo credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis has directed all pourakarmikas in Bengaluru to compulsorily register themselves on the ‘NAMASTE’ app to facilitate access to various social and security benefits provided by the Union Government.

The direction was issued by Hardeep Singh Gill, member of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, in a meeting held at the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) central office on Tuesday. The meeting chaired by Mr. Gill and GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao discussed the demands and issues of pourakarmikas and manual scavengers including safety, health, housing, education, compensation, pensions and socio-economic welfare.

Mr. Rao said continuous checks and documentation are being carried out across the city to monitor the safety and working conditions of the pourakarmikas. Information on deaths and accidents related to manual scavenging was also collected and necessary steps were taken to provide compensation and other benefits as per rules.

According to officials, around 15,292 pourakarmikas are currently working in the city, of which 12,924 are permanent employees and 2,368 are daily wage employees. Representatives of pourakarmika organizations said the workforce has dropped from more than 35,000 earlier, adding to the workload of existing workers. They sought a scientific reassessment of manpower requirements and an increase in personnel strength.

The meeting also reviewed welfare schemes, including financial assistance up to ₹ 5 lakh for eligible land-owning pourakarmika residents, reimbursement of medical expenses up to ₹ 50,000, self-employment assistance, tuition reimbursement and higher education assistance. Skill development programs and a proposal to provide around 120 houses in the North and South City Corporation jurisdictions were also discussed.

The representatives of the manual scavengers sought immediate compensation for the families of those who died due to manual crucifixion, pension benefits, health cards and treatment facilities in private hospitals. They also sought continued educational assistance for their children, loans and financial assistance, and support for self-employment.

Officials have been directed to complete the registration of eligible pourakarmikas in the “NAMASTE” application. Instructions have also been issued to register workers under the respective schemes of the State Safai Karmachari Development Corporation and facilitate the provision of benefits.

The meeting decided that the demands submitted by the pourakarmika organizations would be discussed with the Special Commissioner (Welfare) and would be scrutinized in detail.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 21:54 IST