State govt withdraws Rs 15 crore fund reserved for uniforms, equipment of pourakarmikas

BENGALURU: In an unusual move, the state government, which used to grant Rs 15 crore towards uniforms and for purchase of equipment for pourakarmikas and other expenses, has suddenly withdrawn it. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had been utilising the grants for the welfare and development of civic workers.

Babu, the president of the BBMP civic workers’ federation claimed the state government has suddenly withdrawn the funds reserved for uniforms and equipment for pourakarmikas. He also termed the decision of the government as “very unfair”.

Talking to the media, Babu said he had written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing anger about the government’s move regarding allocation of the funds.

He said, the government should understand the sufferings of the pourakarmikas who have been struggling for regularisation of their jobs for many years. “Now, the government has cheated the  civic workers by taking back the reserved fund allocated for the purchase of uniforms and other equipment. If the government taking it away from poor civic workers, then what is the value for the government? They work hard to keep city clean. At least 18,500 civic workers benefited from the fund. But they are being denied the fund this year and this is huge injustice to them. The federation does not agree with the decision of the government”, he said.