Washermen community in Dindigul allege neglect

DINDIGUL: It has been 42 years since the dhobi ghat at Chinnalapatti was thrown open for the washermen in 1972 but around 500 families of washermen say that the living conditions in the area is miserable and no government official has ever cared to hear their grievances.
The washermen allege that people dump garbage around the area and the authorities take no steps to clean it.
"Town panchayat sweepers avoid this place purposely. Even after 40 years, we don't see any improvement in our living condition. No one bothers to take notice of us," said a washerman.
Constructed in 1972, the ghat was declared open by then Madurai district collector R A Seetharamdoss. A well dug in the ghat exclusively for pulliing out water for washing clothes is still in use.
The structure constructed for steaming and washing clothes too is in a bad shape.
However, the washermen do not know who to approach or how to get the problem addressed. "We work for 8 to 10 hours a day. We do not even get time to look after our children's education. It is impossible to run around to submit petitions to officials, said Muthupandi, another washerman.
The backward classes department was established in 1972. The same year this ghat too was established but not a single officer from this department has visited us since then, he said.
"We consider that year to be the best as the ghat was inaugurated which could have helped to develop our community but our condition has not improved in the past 42 years.