Will not allow pvt firm to lift Ludhiana’s garbage: Sanitation staff

The Integrated Solid Waste Management Project was passed by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation in the General House meeting on Monday.

The sanitation workers had gathered outside the venue of the meeting with their carts as a mark of protest and they did the same even during the last General House meeting.

Ompal, president of theHome Collector Garbage Sangharsh Committee, said they would be holding a meeting in coming days to plan further strategy.

“We will not allow any private company to lift garbage from Ludhiana. We have been doing this work for many years and now all of a sudden they have decided to make us jobless. We won’t let this happen,” said Ompal. He further added that if need arises, they will dump garbage on roads and outside houses of political leaders but will not let the corporation snatch their work from them.

Sadhu Ram, another member of the Sangharsh Committee said that they have been struggling for regularisation but instead of making them regular, the Municipal Corporation is on its way to snatch the work that they have been doing for decades.

Sawan Kumar, another worker, added, “We wake up before dawn every day to keep the city clean. If the corporation brings in a private company, what will happen to our families who depend on this work? We are not against development, but it should not come at the cost of our survival.”

Kamlesh, a woman sanitation worker said, “For years we have been demanding regularisation and basic facilities like uniforms, gloves, and health cover. Instead of listening to us, they are trying to replace us. This is injustice”.

Pintu Mangwana, another member of the Sangharsh Committee, said, “We are treated like invisible people. The city runs because of our work, yet our voices are ignored. If the corporation does not withdraw this decision, we will sit on dharna till our voices are heard.”