VARANASI, Oct. 7 -- Showering flowers on them on the eve of Valmiki Jayanti, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday announced several initiatives for sanitation workers, referred to as "Swachhata Mitras."

All sanitation workers will receive Ayushman cards for free medical treatment worth up to Rs.5 lakh per worker annually, he said on the first day of his two-day visit to Varanasi.

He announced that Rs.16,000 to Rs.20,000 would directly be credited to sanitation workers' bank accounts, emphasising that "no one will be able to exploit them", according to an official statement.

He also said preparations, including the creation of a dedicated portal, are underway.

Adityanath made the remarks at the Swachhata Mitra Samman ceremony at Sa...