Chennai : Lack of awareness and follow-up for placements has dissuaded sanitary workers and their kin from availing training for alternate employment under the special assistance scheme started by The Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO ). While the scheme in the past had many takers, since the last four years not even one worker has availed it.
“We have been closely monitoring the programme since January 2015 but nobody has come forward to participate. While they attend meetings they don’t come for training workshops,” said an official from TAHDCO.
Every year the state allocates Rs 25 crore for various skill development and training programmes to benefit 20,0000 candidates including sanitary workers and those belonging to Scheduled caste and converted to Christianity.
Officials claim that everyone except the workers have regularly availed the scheme. “They want us to give them money or grants. They are unwilling to take the training,” the official said.
However sanitary workers have conflicting views. “To this training we need to take leaves, which we cannot afford and TAHDCO is not willing to compensate for it,” said Raju Chandran, a sanitary worker in .
Workers alleged that post training they are left in the lurch with no job placements. “Many workers stopped going for the training since they were left without jobs and few had quit their previous ones,” said R. Ramesh, another worker.
He added that most workers were not even aware of schemes such as this, due to indifference of authorities. “It is the duty of TAHDCO to call for a meeting and inform conservancy inspectors and workers about the schemes available.
When people do not avail these schemes, the amount allocated for the programme also goes waste,” said R. Ramesh, another worker.
Speaking of unspent amount, Gollapalli Israel, president of the Tamil Nadu Conservancy Workers Federation recalled when a sum of Rs 30 crore provided for the National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers scheme was lying unspent for ten years since people were not aware. But when got to know of the scheme, they protested and the State finally provided it to beneficiaries. “The problem is they do not communicate. And most workers who are in desperate need of assistance end up helpless,” said Israel.
Under the special assistance scheme candidates are provided skills training in tailoring, mechanics, computer software, multimedia, textiles amongst others. TAHDCO has also tied up with institutes such as Central Footwear Training Institute , Central Leather Research Institute for the same.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided in print and online platforms. Read SKILL REPORTER or Follow SKILLREPORTER on Facebook / Twitter / Linkedin / Google to stay updated with RFP, Tenders, EOI, Jobs, Notifications, Schemes, Projects, News etc. related to Skill Development
