Chief Minister M.K. Stalin today launched a three-day meal scheme for sanitation workers in Chennai. He also announced that restrooms with toilet facilities would be set up in all 200 wards in Chennai.
Speaking at the function, held at Kalaivanar Arangam, he said:
If our Chennai wakes up every morning clean and free from the garbage of the previous day, it is because of you, the sanitation workers, who work hard all
night.
I am truly proud to launch this Chief Minister’s Food Scheme that will provide food to such people.
After all, even if we eat nutritious food, have a diet, and exercise, if we want to live a healthy life, the foundation is cleanliness.
No matter what disaster this city faces – heat, rain, floods, or storms – your work is crucial in helping it recover.
It is because of your tireless efforts that our surroundings are clean.
It is because of you that the water bodies are clean. It is because of you that children go to school safely.
When I took charge as the Mayor of Chennai, the advice that Kalaignar gave me was, “This is not a position; it is a responsibility.” Similarly, I will tell you. What you are doing is not work; it is service.
Only those who travel at night in Chennai know this. In this city that is busy all day, you are the ones who work tirelessly after the city has calmed down.
Seeing your dedicated spirit of service – not only me; this city bows down to you with gratitude! On behalf of the entire Chennai, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you.
Almost 30 years ago, when I took over as the mayor of Chennai, I wanted to make this city a cleaner city. For that, we started using machines in cleaning work.
I brought various initiatives to manage garbage by separating it into biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage. All of that was the first step towards the change we have achieved today.
It is our duty to protect you who keep this city clean. Your dignity must be protected. Your standard of living must improve. Your interests must be protected. This is social justice.
To protect your self-respect and satisfy your hunger on this journey of social justice, we have launched this Chief Minister’s Food Scheme today.
Under this scheme, sanitation workers will be provided with tasty and healthy meals during their meal times, between their shifts.
The food will be cooked hygienically, placed in a tiffin box, transported in a thermal bag to keep it warm, and served in a building owned by the local government, close to where the sanitation workers work.
We are implementing this program with the understanding that it is the government’s responsibility to provide food to the people who work for our welfare.
Apart from this, we have implemented many other important schemes for the welfare of sanitation workers in Tamil Nadu during our party rule.
There are still many welfare programs in progress. Despite all that has been done, I know that there are still many needs for you.
I am confident that our Dravidian model government will do all of that gradually.
You work day and night. But many people have told me that they are worried that you do not have a separate restroom.
Therefore, I would like to make an announcement through this program. In all 200 wards of the Greater Chennai Corporation, restrooms of 300 square feet with dress changing rooms, toilets and other facilities will be constructed and brought into use exclusively for the sanitation workers. Not only that, the Chief Minister’s food scheme, which was launched today, will be expanded to all corporations and municipalities from December 6th.
As I have already said, your other demands will be fulfilled gradually.
In the future, as in Western countries and countries like Japan, all people should move forward to become 100 percent self-disciplined, properly classifying garbage, and greatly reducing the burden on sanitation workers.
My dream – Your quality of life should improve. Your health should be protected. Your children should study well and sit in high positions of responsibility.
Last year, there was a news. I think I remember it. A woman named Durga from Tiruvarur district – the daughter of a sanitation worker – studied, cleared the Group-2 examination and took charge as a municipal commissioner. This is the kind of progress I would like to see.
In the future, your children should also study, progress, and take on responsibilities as great officials! I should give them appointment orders! This is why we are implementing all the plans with a vision!
Around 31,373 sanitation workers will benefit through the food scheme launched by him. He flagged off the vehicles carrying food to the sanitation workers at the function.
He also inaugurated residential houses and new welfare schemes for the sanitation workers.
