The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is set to roll out the Annapoorna Scheme, a welfare initiative aimed at improving the daily lives of its sanitation workforce. The programme, described as a pioneering model in the country, will be formally launched on September 1 by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who will distribute smart cards to the beneficiaries.
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Scheme will cover over 700 sanitation workers
Designed to combine financial support with flexibility, the scheme will cover over 700 sanitation workers employed by BWSSB. Each worker will be issued a smart card powered by Axis Bank, with a monthly credit of ₹1,500. The amount is earmarked exclusively for breakfast and can be redeemed at food outlets of the worker’s choice. Officials explained that this structure provides both nutritional support and the dignity of personal choice, moving beyond traditional welfare formats.
BWSSB has framed the programme as a gesture of gratitude towards sanitation workers, recognising their contribution to keeping the city functional and hygienic. By ensuring that workers begin their day with access to a healthy meal, the board hopes to enhance not only their well-being but also their sense of respect and inclusion.
With this initiative, Bengaluru becomes the first city in India to introduce direct financial assistance specifically for daily breakfast to sanitation workers, marking a unique blend of technology-driven delivery and welfare-oriented governance.