The Telangana government has decided to set up modern dobhi ghats – laundries across the state and to begin with they will be set up in eight districts.
Similar on the lines of those in Bangalore, the Telangana government wants to set up these laundries. Each unit costs Rs 52 lakh benefitting 200 families. Each washerman can earn Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.
At these laundries, two machines with 60 kg capacity, two with 30 kg capacity, two with 30 kg capacity hydro extractors, two driers, and four manual iron tables would be set up at each centre.
A total of 200 men can get work in each shift. The maintenance of these centres would be entrusted to the local washer men association.
A washer men Srinivas of Siddipet said the mechanisation of laundry had reduced the drudgery among the washermen. It all includes collecting clothes, washing them, and returning them. “Now our association is earning Rs 20,000 per month,” he said.
Telangana Rajaka Sangham leader Konduri Satyanarayana said till date no government bothered our community. Now in Telangana state, our community got patronage. The mechanisation of laundries is now attracting the youth to come back to the traditional vocation as it involves less toil and decent income.
The scheme costing Rs 30 crore is expected to benefit two lakh washer men families in the state for now.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao