Shimla ex-Dy Mayor in central govt panel

The appointment of former Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipality Tikender Panwar as a member of the Central Government's National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) has been announced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Panwar, who served as Deputy Mayor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation from 2017 to 2022, is a well-known social activist and has been working for the welfare of sanitation workers for many years.

Speaking to reporters after his appointment, Panwar said that he was honored to be given this opportunity and that he would work tirelessly to improve the lives of sanitation workers across the country.

The NCSK is a statutory body established under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The Commission's mandate is to monitor the implementation of the Act and to advise the Central Government on matters relating to the welfare of sanitation workers.

Panwar said that he would focus on ensuring that sanitation workers are treated with dignity and respect, and that they have access to safe and healthy working conditions.

He also said that he would work to promote the use of new technologies and equipment to make the work of sanitation workers easier and safer.

Panwar's appointment to the NCSK has been welcomed by sanitation workers' organizations across the country. The Safai Karamchari Andolan, a national organization representing sanitation workers, said that Panwar's appointment was a "positive step" and that he would be a "strong advocate" for the rights of sanitation workers.

Panwar's appointment is the latest in a series of steps taken by the Central Government to improve the lives of sanitation workers.

In 2019, the government launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, a five-year program that aims to make all urban areas in India open defecation free by 2024.

The program includes a number of components aimed at improving the working conditions of sanitation workers, such as providing them with protective gear and training them in safe work practices.

The government has also set up a National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation to provide loans and other financial assistance to sanitation workers.