New mattresses: Government’s sleep therapy for SC/ST students

The Congress government is working towards providing better sleeping conditions for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students by replacing cotton mattresses with pocket-spring mattresses. The social welfare department has proposed the purchase of 1.72 lakh pocket spring mattresses for students. Out of these, 61,382 mattresses and pillows will be provided to SC and ST students in pre- and post-matric hostels run by the department, while 1,11,410 mattresses will be given to residential schools and colleges under the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS). An amount of Rs 81 crore will be allotted for this purpose, as decided in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

By replacing mattresses, the government aims to gain support from the Dalit community ahead of the 2018 assembly polls. A senior IAS officer mentioned that mattresses have a personal connection and this move will not only make the students happy but also assure their parents that the government cares about their welfare. This strategy of using mattresses as a political tool is expected to have an emotional impact.

The decision coincides with BJP leaders visiting Dalit-dominated areas and having meals at the homes of Dalits.

The social welfare department believes that it is necessary to replace coir and cotton mattresses with pocket spring mattresses as most of the existing mattresses are old and have become hard. They believe that students from lower economic and social backgrounds should also be provided with good sleeping conditions.

Previously, the Siddaramaiah government had announced the construction of 110 hostel buildings for SC and ST students and repairs in 1,338 hostels across the state, costing Rs 995 crore. The government has also initiated the construction of 873 bathrooms and 883 toilets in SC and ST hostels.