Sanitation workers' strike enters 16th day, garbage continues to pile up in Karnal
The strike has been extended for three more days till August 24
The strike of sanitation workers entered its 16th day on Friday, with heaps of garbage piling up across the city and creating inconvenience for residents and traders. The protesting employees of the sanitation, fire and HKRN workers of various departments staged a protest march in the city and met Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand at his residence. They submitted a memorandum seeking implementation of the government agreement and regularisation of contractual employees.
According to the protesting employees, the strike has been extended for three more days till August 24, while a mahapanchayat has been scheduled for August 23 to press for their demands.
The impact of the prolonged strike is increasingly visible on the city's roads, streets and markets, where garbage has accumulated at several locations. With the monsoon season going on, residents have raised concerns over foul smell and the risk of infections. The situation has also become a concern for traders ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival, when markets are expected to witness increased footfall.
Residents alleged that garbage has spilled onto the roadside, creating traffic and safety concerns.
Amit Kumar, a local resident, said that piling up of garbage along roads is a major issue during the ongoing monsoon season. The government should intervene either by pacifying the protesting employees or by pressing any private agency to clean city roads.
Three days back, the protesting employees had locked the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) office as part of their agitation.
Speaking to the employees, MLA Jagmohan Anand assured them that their demands would be raised with the state government and the Chief Minister.
The workers expressed hope that the intervention of elected representatives would help resolve the long-pending issues. “Our demands should be fulfilled by the government. We demand regularisation of contractual employees,” said Raj Kumar, president of MC employees’ association.
