Garbage piles stink Patiala as cleanliness workers protest; burn Punjab CM effigies

Ravneet
Tribune News Service
Patiala, June 15

Garbage piles have started to pile and stinking up various parts of the state—including the Chief Minister's home district, Patiala—as workers associated with the cleanliness worker union Punjab are in protest.

Apart from dumping garbage in the open, the protestors on Tuesday resorted to burning effigies of the Chief Minister and Local Bodies Minister at their respective corporation and council areas.

The protestors have been holding strikes throughout the state—including Pathankot, Bathinda, Patiala, Barnala, Sangrur, Faridkot, Mohali among others—since May 13.

Over 30,000 workers are associated with the Union. The Union's president Ashok Sarwan, from Faridkot, said: "The state government has not regularised our jobs for many years. We want them to put an end to the 'thekedari' system and regularise our workers. Also, promotions of previously hired employees have not been carried out for years. They are yet to release our pending Dearness allowance arrears."

In Patiala city, the protestors blocked the lower mall road and burned the effigy of the local bodies minister.

In Khanauri, they burned the effigies of the Chief Minister and the Local Bodies Minister.

In Rajpura and Nabha municipal council areas as well, the workers carried out a protest march throughout the city, while raising slogans against the state government.

Patiala President, Sunil said: "The protests are being carried out in the state and Patiala since May 13. Our contractual workers are paid a mere Rs 7,653 per month, which is way less. Many have been working for the last 10 to 15 years. We will continue the protest until the government accepts our demands."

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