Congress, Telugu Desam join civic body staff strike to raise the stink

Hyderabad: The indefinite strike by GHMC staff took a political hue on Saturday. Joining the 10,000 contract workers protesting at Indira Park were leaders from the Congress and TD since this was an ideal platform for them to attack the government before the municipal elections.

Around 24,000 workers are continuing the strike. Talks failed on the sixth consecutive day. Mr A. Shankar, general secretary of the Greater Hyderabad Bhagyanagar Municipal Union, said, “What was stated four days ago by the labour minister was reiterated at the meeting. There was no relief for workers.”

“When we requested a direct meeting with the CM, they stated he was not in good health. When the CM can attend programmes, why are the workers being blocked,” he said. The city has accumulated over 20,000 tonnes of garbage and not even 8,000 tonnes have been cleared.

On Saturday, a Swachh Hyderabad programme was conducted with over 3,000 temporary workers. The GHMC has offered to pay temporary drivers double the salary. An additional 1,049 vehicles were deployed to clear the garbage.

Meanwhile, three unions of the Water Board called off their strike following a meeting with irrigation minister T. Harish Rao who assured them of pay revision. While the Swachh meeting in the Human Resource Development Centre was postponed, the state government is all set to hold an Iftar party on July 12 at the Nizam’s college grounds. Another 2,000 metric tonnes of garbage is expected to accumulate following the meet.

The Minorities Commission on Saturday issued notice to the GHMC seeking its reply on the steps being taken to end its staff strike and alternative arrangements made to keep the city clean. Commission chairman Abid Rasool Khan said they had received a number of petitions, especially from the old city on the matter.