Greater Chennai Corporation to replace sanitation workers' meals with daily allowance

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will replace its cooked meal system for sanitation workers with a daily food allowance of Rs 50. This decision affects 24,264 workers employed through private agencies, including Urbaser Sumeet and Chennai Enviro Solutions Private Limited, as well as those from self-help groups.

The change follows widespread complaints regarding the quality of food, hygiene in kitchens, late deliveries, and the maintenance of cooking utensils. A citywide survey indicated that approximately 92 per cent of the workers preferred receiving a cash allowance over the existing meal scheme.

The Municipal Administration and Water Supply department issued a Government Order on September 21 to cancel the existing three-year food supply contract. The new allowance will be calculated based on the number of days a worker attends duty and will be paid alongside their monthly salary. The GCC expects the annual expenditure for this arrangement to be approximately Rs 44.28 crore, which will be covered by its own funds.