Maharashtra Government Plans to Insure Conservancy Workers

The Maharashtra government today said that it is looking to insure all conservancy workers across the state and a socio-medico-economic analysis will be carried out to bring them under the ambit of healthcare.

"We are taking several measures to ensure good health of conservative workers. We have appointed a committee to carry out a socio-medico-economic analysis of these workers under the leadership of specialised doctors of KEM hospital in Mumbai," Maharashtra's MoS for Home, Ranjit Patil informed the State Legislative Council.

Mr Patil, while replying to a query raised by Vijay Girkar (BJP) during the Question Hour said the government is preparing a plan where these workers could be insured and the premium be paid by the government.

Mr Girkar said while the Chief Minister of Maharashtra recently announced that these workers will get housing facilities, no such plan has been announced to provide them health facilities.

He added that 1300 workers have died in the last 6 years and NGOs estimate that one work dies everyday in Mumbai.

"These workers will have spaces reserved for them at all government hospitals. They will also be provided with a smart card that would enable hospitals to keep their data in records. Many of these workers are addicted to substances that keeps them going in difficult conditions. The government will do everything possible to rid them of these addictions," Mr Patil said.