New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Mayor Parvesh Wahi, and other leaders on Wednesday participated in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2026’ event organised by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Addressing the gathering, CM Gupta said it was a matter of pride for her to meet sanitation workers, particularly the large number of women among them.
“It is truly time to become friends with these Swachhata Mitras, understand their pain and stand shoulder to shoulder with them. The work they do is something that would be the last priority for most people in society,” she said.
CM Gupta said sanitation workers perform difficult tasks every day and deserve greater appreciation for their contribution.
“If someone had to choose between 10 jobs, this would probably be the last one they would choose. But they have made this work their livelihood. It is not an easy job,” she said.
Recalling her experience during cleanliness drives, CM Gupta said people often experience pain in their hands after using brooms for just a few minutes, while sanitation workers perform similar tasks every day.
“When we took brooms during the Swachhata Abhiyan, we experienced pain in our hands after just 10 minutes. But they do this work every day,” she said.
CM Gupta also said sanitation workers had fought for their rights and raised their concerns for years.
“For years, these people fought for their rights and highlighted their issues, but the governments of the time did not listen to them. It was only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power that sanitation workers received the respect they truly deserved,” she said.
Mayor Parvesh Wahi also addressed the gathering and highlighted various welfare measures for sanitation workers.
“Our Prime Minister’s vision is continuously bringing new schemes for sanitation workers. I feel very proud that, under his vision, the Ayushman Scheme provides free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to our brothers and sisters in the unorganised sector,” Wahi said.
He added that the Delhi government had provided an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh, taking the total health coverage available under the schemes to Rs 10 lakh.
“This means health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh, and you are all benefiting from it,” Wahi said.
