Despite the tall assurances by the State Government, only three per cent of domestic workers in Nagpur district got financial help during COVID-19 period. A reply to an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed this. According to Nitin Meshram of Youth for Unity and Voluntary action (YUVA), during COVID-19 period, financial assistance fund of Rs 44,53,500/- was received from Maharashtra Domestic Workers’ Welfare Board by Nagpur district for disbursement to registered domestic workers. In the first phase, the fund was to be distributed to the domestic workers registered between 2015 and March 31, 2021. This fund was to be given to 5,812 domestic workers. However, said Meshram, the fund came only for 2,969 domestic workers, of which only 1,211 domestic workers got benefitted. So far, he added citing reply received from the office of Additional Labour Commissioner, out of Rs 44,53,500/- received only Rs 18,15,500/- was disbursed.

 

This benefit is yet to reach the domestic workers registered between 2011 and 2014 whose number is 39,968 in Nagpur district. The Chief Minister, while addressing the people of Maharashtra, on April 13, 2021, had announced financial assistance to domestic workers during COVID-19 period. A Government Resolution (GR) was issued on April 30, 2021. As per the GR, Government of Maharashtra had decided to give Rs 1,500/- each to registered domestic workers, and a fund of Rs 15,82,50,000/- was approved for this purpose.

 

The fund was to be disbursed to eligible domestic workers in Nagpur district from 2011 to March 31, 2021. But, in Nagpur district, only 1,211 domestic workers got its benefit. There are a total 45,780 domestic workers in Nagpur district. From January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014 the number of domestic workers registered under Nagpur Board was 39,968. Similarly, from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2021 the number domestic workers registered was 5,812 and post-April 2021 the number of domestic workers registered was 318, as per the reply received from the office of Additional Labour Commissioner.

 

“These domestic workers are feeling left out. Due to neglect of the Government and administration, the condition of domestic workers has become disturbing. There is no attention of both -- Central and State -- Governments towards the domestic workers. Only two schemes are operational for them and the earlier scheme has also been stopped. The attitude of the Government is also lax in giving financial help,” said Meshram. Taking cognisance of the situation, a delegation of YUVA also met the Assistant Commissioner, who then forwarded the letter to Development Commissioner (Unorganised Workers) of State Government. The delegation comprised Nitin Meshram, Nilesh Khadse, Vimal Bubble, and Shailendra Wasnik.