In order to give proper identification to the rag-pickers operating in the city, an event was organised by the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD),Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) and some activist groups of Dehradun on Friday. Around 50 rag pickers were given identification cards during the event and also an awareness programme was held by the authorities later.
During the event,the activists who spoke on the occasion talked about the important role played by the rag pickers in the waste management sector. They said that despite their important role, they are a neglected lot and they work in very hazardous conditions. Focusing on the harassment they face, the activists stated that the rag pickers are subjected to harassment nearly daily. They, further, said that due to the lack of identification, the recyclables they collect are often taken away or they are fined by the people who claim to be from the Government agencies.
In the first phase of giving identification cards held in January, around 50 rag pickers have been given the identification cards along with safety gloves, caps, reflective jackets, boots and masks in the second phase held on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, S P Subudhi, the member secretary of UEPPCB, said, “A detailed survey will be carried out for all the rag pickers based in Dehradun city. After the second phase of the process is over, we are looking forward to the third phase. Finally, all of them would be provided with the identification cards.”
The municipal commissioner Vijay Kumar Jogdande said, “We will continue with such kinds of programmes in the coming days. Besides, we will also try to do something to give them support in safety, security or income so as to enable them to lead a good life.”
Uday Singh Rana, additional director of urban development department, said, “All the rag pickers should be covered under some State health or life insurance policy. This would give them security.”
Addressing the programme, the head of an activist group Waste Warrior Naveen Kumar Sadana said, “Our purpose is not just to give identification to the rag pickers but to provide them with some health facility as promised by the officials during the programme. We have been working for them and would continue to work for them till they are enabled to live a healthy, decent life.”