Delegation of daily wagers, market assns meets MC Joint Commissioner

Councillor Saurabh Joshi, accompanied by delegations from various daily wagers employees' unions, market associations of Sector-15 Old Book Market and Sector-24 Ganesh Market, representatives of Chandigarh Mazdoor Sena, and local residents met Municipal Corporation Joint Commissioner Sumit Sihag and Chief Engineer Sanjay Arora. The meeting addressed pressing concerns affecting municipal employees and local market communities.

Joshi highlighted the plight of MC employees working as daily wagers. He claimed these Category C and D workers are deprived of the allowances and benefits their regular counterparts receive. Drawing inspiration from the one-time regularisation scheme in the Delhi Municipal Corporation, he urged the authorities to adopt a similar model in Chandigarh to secure jobs, boost morale, and ensure equitable treatment across the workforce.

Representatives from Sector-24’s Ganesh Market Association raised urgent concerns regarding the absence of public toilet facilities in their market. The lack of proper sanitation has caused significant hardships for handicapped, senior citizens and female shopkeepers, as well as their employees. The association called for the immediate construction of public toilets.

Addressing the issues of Old Book Market shopkeepers, Joshi proposed transitioning from a rent system to a lease arrangement. He said with the collector rates and lease money, the MC could generate substantial revenue for its coffers, thereby easing its financial crisis. The shopkeepers’ association has expressed readiness to bear these expenses, following the model adopted by Sector-15’s Patel Market. Joshi urged that these matters be prioritized and addressed promptly, with the municipal administration expected to announce concrete measures in the coming weeks.