Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the fourth Saturday of August will be observed as ‘Garima Diwas’ in order to create awareness of the safety and security of sanitation workers and strengthen their social security.
Majhi said this while addressing a national workshop on “Mission Zero – Ending Fatality in Sanitation Work” here on Saturday.
He said that the state will soon introduce modern technology like AI, camera systems and drones for the safety of sanitation workers who often die due to suffocation while working inside septic tanks.
The CM said that a sanitation worker who is entering the septic tank does not know about the existence of any toxic gas inside. Modern tools need to be used in the work to ascertain if the tank is safe or not before allowing any sanitation worker into it.
“Other people can also see the inside view of the tank when one is working there by using technology. We plan to provide oxygen masks, helmet and other equipment for the person who takes the risk of life to clean the septic tank,” Majhi said.
The chief minister said, “Our sole objective is Mission Zero, meaning zero casualties in sanitation-related work. We are modernising sanitation work through technology, including safety equipment, oxygen systems, cameras, drones and AI.”
Majhi said that when India was making rapid advances in robotics, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, why such innovations could not be deployed to safeguard sanitation workers. He asked officials to provide proper training to sanitation workers to enable them to efficiently operate modern equipment and save their lives.
On the “Mission Zero” goal, the chief minister said the focus should be on preventing accidents rather than providing compensation after fatalities. “We should work towards making ‘zero casualty’ in sanitation work. Our goal is not to help after death, but to protect them before death,” he said.
He also highlighted the Centre’s NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme for sanitation workers.
Majhi said Odisha is working to provide social security to sanitation workers and their families. “Last year, we announced Rs 10 lakh life insurance, and today two beneficiaries have been given Rs 10 lakh each,” he said.
The CM said that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who first gave dignity to sanitation workers. Now cleanliness is one of the major subjects like economics, defence or any other matter.
The national workshop was attended by experts and sanitation-sector officials from eight states, besides sanitation workers.
The CM also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing modern safety equipment for sanitation work. He handed over work orders for houses to sanitation workers.
Union Social Justice Secretary Sudhansh Pant appreciated Odisha’s initiatives for the welfare of sanitation workers. He said the state had emerged as a model for others through its implementation of the ‘Garima Yojana’.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the state government is committed to achieving zero fatality in sanitation work. “Zero fatality is not just a slogan for us; it is a resolution,” Garg said.
PTI