Sanitation workers object to selection committee

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 19

Sanitation workers today burnt an effigy of Mayor Balwant Rai Nath outside the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) office over the recruitment of 328 sanitation workers.

The protesting sanitation workers also raised slogans against the Mayor. They registered their protest against the selection committee constituted by the Mayor for the recruitment of sanitation workers.

The workers also threaten to go on a strike from Monday.

A large number of sanitation workers also held a meeting under the presidentship of Gora Lal to discuss their issues.

Gora Lal, president, Sanitation workers’ Union, said, “There are 835 sanitation workers in the city at present. The previous SAD-BJP government had approved the recruitment of 328 new sanitation workers on daily wages. Ahead of the Assembly elections, the recruitment process could not take place due to the poll code of conduct. But, after the formation of new government, the civic body did not show any interest towards hiring new sanitation workers.”

“A month ago, I got the orders pertaining to the recruitment of workers. I went to Chandigarh and gave the orders to the officials concerned. The recruitment process is still hanging fire,” he added.

Gora Lal said now, the Mayor had constituted a committee for recruitment and according to him, the committee would hire the sanitation workers.

He said the union opposes the committee and it had no problem if the MC Commissioner takes a call on the recruitment of new sanitation workers.

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath said, “Major works are done by the committee. It has been constituted during a meeting of the House, which was attended by councillors and officials. I don’t understand why the union have problem with the committee. If the union members go on a strike, we will see.”

SAD-BJP councillors had asked the Mayor to constitute a committee for the recruitment of sanitation workers.

They want that each councillor should recommend five workers from his or her ward and all workers should be residents of the city.

Differences with the panel

• SAD-BJP councillors had asked the Mayor to constitute a committee for the recruitment of sanitation workers. 
• The councillors want that each councillor should recommend five workers from his or her ward and all workers should be residents of the city. 
• The workers registered their protest against the selection committee constituted by the Mayor for the recruitment of sanitation staff.
• Gora Lal, president of the Sanitation Workers' Union, said the union opposes the committee and it had no problem if the MC Commissioner takes a call on the recruitment of new sanitation workers.