UP Government's Big Diwali Gift: Sanitation Workers to Get ₹20,000 Salary and ₹5 Lakh Free Health Cover

In a major step toward improving the lives of sanitation workers across Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a substantial financial and healthcare package just ahead of Diwali. The CM made the announcement during the ‘Swachhta Mitra Samman Samaroh’ held in Varanasi, highlighting the government’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of sanitation workers.

Addressing the event, CM Yogi declared that sanitation workers will now receive a direct monthly payment ranging from ₹16,000 to ₹20,000 in their bank accounts. This move aims to eliminate exploitation by contractors and ensure timely, transparent payments to every sanitation employee working under urban local bodies.

Alongside the pay revision, the Chief Minister also announced a comprehensive health insurance benefit. Every sanitation worker in the state will now be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Health Card scheme, providing free medical treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family. “No sanitation worker will be left without protection. Each one will have access to quality healthcare,” Yogi Adityanath said during his address.

Recognition and Dignity for “Swachhta Mitras”

During the ceremony, CM Yogi honored several sanitation workers for their outstanding contribution to cleanliness under the ongoing ‘Swachhta Hi Seva Pakhwada’ campaign. He personally showered flower petals on them and distributed cleanliness kits as a mark of appreciation. “Our Swachhta Mitras are the real heroes who ensure hygiene and health for everyone. It is our moral duty to honor their contribution,” he added.

The Chief Minister also announced that October 7 will be observed as a public holiday in Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. Paying rich tributes to Maharishi Valmiki, CM Yogi said, “He is the divine sage who authored the world’s first epic, the Ramayana. Maharishi Valmiki was not just a poet but a guiding light who shaped the spiritual consciousness of India.”

Government’s Commitment to Inclusive Development

Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014 to make cleanliness a people’s movement. He acknowledged the Prime Minister’s vision of ensuring that every citizen takes responsibility for maintaining hygiene in their surroundings.

Highlighting the spirit of community harmony, CM Yogi urged citizens to share sweets and happiness with sanitation workers this Diwali. “Let there be light in every home, and let every Swachhta Mitra feel the joy of the festival. This is true social unity,” he said.

He also criticized opposition parties for dividing society, stating, “Our goal is to unite people and ensure progress for all. Some parties like SP and Congress thrive on creating social divides, but we will not allow that to happen.”

A Step Toward Empowerment

The decision is expected to benefit thousands of sanitation workers across Uttar Pradesh, providing both financial stability and social dignity. The government’s move to regularize their wages and extend health insurance will ensure long-term welfare for their families.

With this Diwali gift, the Yogi government aims to not only brighten the festive season for sanitation workers but also reaffirm the value of their service to society — a true reflection of inclusive governance and human dignity.