Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has extended the free meal program to nearly one lakh additional conservancy staff in urban local bodies across the state. This move aims to enhance welfare support for frontline civic workers responsible for maintaining cleanliness and public health in towns and cities. The expansion was officially launched in Polivakkam, Tiruvallur district.
Under the expanded coverage, 48,768 sanitation workers in 24 municipal corporations, 29,556 workers in 145 municipalities, and 21,910 workers in 479 town panchayats will now benefit from free meals. Initially introduced last year for Greater Chennai Corporation workers, the scheme has now been broadened to encompass sanitation workers throughout Tamil Nadu’s urban local body network, providing a stronger safety net for this vulnerable workforce.
During the launch event, Chief Minister Stalin reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing the living and working conditions of sanitation workers. He highlighted various welfare initiatives already in place, such as housing facilities, loan assistance for small businesses, life insurance coverage, and educational support for their children. Stalin also expressed the government’s commitment to introducing additional welfare measures to support sanitation workers.
The statewide expansion of the program follows a Cabinet decision made on August 14, 2025, approving six proposals aimed at enhancing the welfare of conservancy workers. This decision was prompted by protests at Chennai’s Ripon Buildings, where sanitation workers demanded better support and dignity at work. The free meal program is designed to ensure nutritional security and alleviate daily expenses for workers who often begin their duties early in the morning, aligning with the government’s broader social justice agenda.
