Call of duty before self, says this safai sewak

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 13

Karamjit Singh (36), a contractual safai sewak with the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC), steps out of his house daily by keeping duty before self to combat the Covid-19 scare.

Wearing a mask and carrying a stick, Karamjit can be seen cleaning choked sewers in ward number 37. While completing his task, he asks residents to stay indoors and practise social distancing.

Karamjit said, “As the curfew has been imposed to tackle Covid-19 outbreak, residents should stay indoors. Officials advised us to wear mask and follow other guidelines. As it my duty to clean sewers, I cannot afford to stay at home. Sometimes, I spray disinfectant as well.”

Karamjit, who earns around Rs 8,000 per month, sometimes find it difficult to make his both ends meet.

He lives with his family at Gill colony and is father of nine children. He wants that the administration should regularise his job.

“I have been working with the Ludhiana MC for the past 18 years. I have studied up to Class VIII. I appeal to the government to regularise contractual safai sewaks,” he said. “Gases emanating from sewerage chambers are poisonous which affect health,” he said.

Subash Desawar, convener, Safai Karmchari Andolan, said, “In case any safai sewak losses his/her life while performing duty or due to Covid-19, the government should provide Rs 1-crore compensation and a job to the victim’s family. Besides, employees should be provided free health insurance. Safai sewaks should be provided masks, gloves, hand sanitisers and other safety gear on time.”

Ward councillor Sarbjit Kaur has urged the government to provide protective kits and other facilities to safai sewaks.