Hyderabad: Summer is here, but the sanitation wing in Kukatpally twin circle is in need of a thorough spring cleaning. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) needs to address the corruption, which is allegedly rampant among the ranks in the two Kukatpally circles, 14A and 14B.
Groupism amongst sanitation workers and Sanitation Field Assistants (SFAs) has led to rise in corruption in the department. Officials had earlier identified irregularities with groups comprising seven sanitary workers and SFAs. Some workers regularly draw their salaries without attending the work. Most of the SFAs had relatives or family members in the groups who would be there for attendance but would not even touch the broom sticks.
Both circles have become a big problem for assistant medical officers. Health officers trying to put an end to corrupt practices are transferred. In the last 12 months, about four assistant medical officials have been transferred from the circles.
A source from Kukatpally circle-14A said kin of SFAs working as sanitary workers either come for attendance or SFAs take biometric devices to their houses for taking attendance.
“SFAs and group leaders get some commission from the salary drawn by workers who do not attend to work," the source said.Mr Murlidhar Gupta, assistant medical officer, had earlier tried to focus on irregularities and warned SFAs. Soon after, anonymous complaints went out to top GHMC officials, stating that Mr Gupta was involved in a decade-old case related to issuing a no-objection certificate to a gas agency in Jeedimetla.The complaints led to an enquiry and his suspension. Mr. Laxman Singh took charge but sought a transfer.
