New Delhi: In a bold move to address the housing crisis faced by Delhi’s sanitation workers, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate land at concessional rates for an ambitious housing scheme. Highlighting the struggles of retired Safai Karamcharis, who are often left
homeless after vacating government quarters, Kejriwal proposed a joint effort where the Delhi government would build affordable homes, enabling workers to secure a dignified post-retirement life.
“These workers are the backbone of our city’s sanitation system,” Kejriwal stated in his letter. “During their employment, they reside in government-provided accommodations. However, post-retirement, they are required to vacate these homes.
They are unable to purchase their own houses or afford the high rental costs in Delhi, leaving them and their families in a vulnerable position.”
Kejriwal proposed that the Central government allocate land for the scheme, while the Delhi government would construct affordable housing units. The cost of these homes would be repaid by the workers in easy instalments, deducted from their salaries. “By the time they retire, they will have a house to live a dignified life,” he added.
Addressing the media, Kejriwal reiterated his commitment to improving the lives of the underprivileged. “Housing is a major problem in Delhi, particularly for the poor. During a recent visit to my constituency, many Safai Karamcharis approached me with their concerns about post-retirement housing. Their pensions are not sufficient to afford rented homes, and they lack savings to buy houses. This scheme is a solution to that,” he said.
The initiative will be piloted with sanitation workers of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) before being extended to all government employees in Delhi. “Initially, Safai Karamcharis can benefit from it, and later it can be extended to other government employees. This is an extremely welfare-oriented scheme,” Kejriwal remarked.
Taking to social media platform X, Kejriwal shared, “My dream is that our Safai Karamchari brothers and sisters should have their own house and live their life with dignity. After the elections, we will build permanent houses for them. Once this starts, we will implement it for other government employees as well. The land in Delhi is under the Central Government. I request the Central Government to provide the land and we will build the houses.”
This proposal is part of a series of guarantees announced by Kejriwal ahead of the 2025 elections. Other welfare-oriented schemes include the Mahila Samman Yojana, offering ₹2,100 monthly assistance to women, and the Sanjeevani Yojana, providing free healthcare to senior citizens. He has also promised concessions for students, support for auto drivers, and financial assistance for Dalit students studying abroad.
Kejriwal expressed optimism that the Prime Minister would support the proposal, calling it a step toward ensuring dignity and security for retired sanitation workers. “I am confident that you will agree with this proposal and promptly devise an action plan to implement it,” he concluded.