Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday gave seven ‘guarantees’ to the dhobi community if the party wins the February 5 Delhi polls. The promises include regularising ironing stands, resuming the halted licensing for dhobis, charging electricity and water at domestic rates, providing quality education, scholarships, and skill training opportunities for their children, and designing welfare schemes for elderly dhobis.

“As the national convener of Aam Aadmi Party and a Chief Ministerial candidate, I accept the demands of the dhobi community and announce that if our government is formed, the Delhi government will establish a Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board. The dhobi community does not have a single platform to voice their issues,” Mr. Kejriwal said at a press conference.

He said if the Board is established, it will become a platform where dhobis in Delhi can present their issues and suggestions and policies can be formulated to improve the community and their profession across Delhi.

‘Police harassment’

He said that currently, many ironing stands or spots are not regularised, resulting in harassment from the administration and police. He stated that welfare schemes will be designed for retired and elderly dhobis and it will be entrusted to the Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board.

“Appropriate arrangements for scholarships and quality education will be made for the children of the dhobi community. Youth from the dhobi community will be provided skill training for their traditional profession or other trades so that they can improve their livelihood and raise their standard of living. The dhobi community will also be informed about all the schemes of the Delhi government from time to time to ensure they benefit from them,” he said.