Tiruchi Corporation to implement free meal scheme for sanitation workers

The Tiruchi Corporation has decided to roll out a free meal scheme benefiting sanitation workers across the city.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the Corporation Council meeting held on Friday. Under the initiative, a total of 3,243 sanitation workers, including permanent staff, contract workers, drivers engaged in sanitation services, and workers involved in anti-dengue operations, will be provided breakfast and lunch every day.

A sum of ₹15.91 crore had been allocated from the Corporation’s General Funds to implement the project for three years. The Corporation has floated a tender to identify a suitable contractor.

A project management consultant would be appointed to select a catering agency, establish kitchen facilities, procure food ingredients, and monitor both the quality and quantity of meals distributed, as well as ensure timely delivery. For this, the Corporation has earmarked ₹35.20 lakh from its General Funds.

Mayor M. Anbazhagan, who chaired the Council meeting, said the initiative aims at supporting sanitation workers who play a vital role in maintaining public hygiene and cleanliness. He said the scheme would be implemented in December.

Mr. Anbazhagan announced that, in the first phase, about 10 street lights of 40 watts power would be sanctioned for each ward, and the remaining 40 street lights would be installed within a month.

Responding to concerns raised by councillors about damaged roads, Mr. Anbazhagan said that around 600 km of road had been laid and the remaining 150 km would be completed soon. The roads had been identified and ₹100 crore from the allocated funds would be utilised for the work, he said.

More workers sought

Councillor V. Jawahar, representing Ward 2, urged the Mayor to increase the number of sanitation workers in his ward ahead of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam. He said only 10 workers were deployed, and frequent absenteeism was creating an additional burden on the remaining staff.

A section of councillors raised concerns over the increasing stray dog menace in several wards. Commissioner L. Madhubalan informed the Council that four shelters for sick and aggressive stray dogs were being established near the Animal Birth Control centres at Konakarai, Ambedkar Nagar, Ponmalai, and Ariyamangalam. A sum of ₹30 lakh had been allocated for each shelter, he said.

Councillor K. Sureshkumar, representing Ward 23, suggested that encroachments along Thillainagar 80-Feet Road be removed and the pavement strengthened. Noting that the stretch was considerably wide, he proposed that it be developed as a designated vending zone.