Beyond the broom: housing for pourakarmikas in Bengaluru.

Abstract

Pourakarmikas, the sanitation workers of Bengaluru, play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness in the city. “The word Pourakarmikas is a Kannada term which refers to ‘Poura’ means ‘Nagarika’ or ‘citizen’ and ‘Karmika’ means ‘Labourer’ which means the people who work with the aim of cleaning the city.” (S, 2019). Yet, they face a multitude of social challenges, stemming from a combination of their caste and their occupation. Many Pourakarmikas belong to historically marginalized castes, traditionally associated with "impure" work. This carries a social stigma that persists despite legal abolishment of untouchability. They may be denied entry to temples, public spaces, and even face discrimination during social events. The nature of their work can lead to social exclusion. People might maintain distance due to unfounded notions of "pollution" associated with cleaning waste. This can isolate them and limit their ability to participate fully in society. The Urban Development Department prioritizes the Pourakarmika Gruha Bhagya Yojana, a housing program specifically designed to provide permanent sanitation workers in urban local bodies of the state with proper housing facilities. This program acknowledges the unhygienic and hazardous working conditions faced by these sanitation workers. The following 6 cadres of Urban Local Bodies are beneficiaries under PKGB scheme: 1. Pourakarmikas 2. Loaders 3. Cleaners 4. Helpers 5. UGD Workers 6. Sanitary Supervisors Keywords: Social housing, Empowerment.