Mumbai: In a significant development for sanitation workers across Maharashtra, Minister Sanjay Shirsat on Tuesday announced that the state government is actively moving forward with a free housing scheme for sanitation workers who have served the state for over two decades.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Minister Shirsat said that the long-pending issue was taken up positively and concrete steps are now underway.
“In today’s meeting, there was a discussion about the Lad Page Committee, and some leaders observed that its implementation was beyond the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation,” said Shirsat.
He noted that despite earlier announcements, the free housing scheme for sanitation workers had not yet been implemented. However, the government is now focused on resolving that delay.
“We suggested that workers with 25 years of service should be eligible for housing, but now the requirement will be reduced to 20 years. A proposal will soon be sent to the state cabinet, and once approved, the scheme will be implemented immediately,” Shirsat added.
In a further boost for sanitation workers, especially women, Minister Shirsat revealed that the government has raised ₹500 crore to procure robotic cleaning machines aimed at improving safety and working conditions.
“This fund will be used to purchase robotic machines for women sanitation workers, ensuring that they no longer have to undertake unsafe and physically demanding tasks,” he said.
The government’s renewed push is being seen as an effort to address long-standing concerns raised by sanitation worker unions and social activists, many of whom have been demanding housing rights and technological upgrades for years.
