Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday said the state government would take a policy decision to entrust the job of washing the linen in government hospitals, hostels, residential schools and all other government organisations only to the Rajaka community to help improve their income level.
Mr Rao said that certain areas within in the GHMC and the HMDA limits would be earmarked for Rajaka Associations for washing and ironing of the linen. He said the move would help uplift the community financially, socially and educationally.
The Chief Minister said that Rs 250 crores has been allocated in the budget for implementing schemes to economically support the community of washer men, and the government was prepared to provide more funds if required.
Mr Rao also announced that loans would be extended to the youth from the community, delinking with the banks for alternate provision of employment. He said the government would also examine the option of providing Aasara pensions to members of the community aged above 50 years.
He announced that a hostel cum community hall for the community would be built in Hyderabad at a cost of Rs 50 crore besides installing a statue of Chakali Ailamma in city.
Addressing a meeting of the representatives of washer men’s associations at Pragathi Bhavan the Chief Minister also said that the government would try to supply power at subsidised rates to launderers to run their washing machines.
Mr Rao also announced the government would construct a building in the city for the social and educational development of Yerukala community. DC
