The sweepers working under the Athagarh NAC (Notified Area Council) on DlR basis since 1991 staged a dharna before the NAC office here on Monday demanding that their jobs be made permanent.
The sweepers’ agitation for permanent job followed the Urban Development Department’s letters and reminders to the Athagarh NAC for outsourcing of solid waste management activities and has asked to deploy private agencies to provide skilled manpower, better equipments along with improved monitoring and supervision.
The sweepers have earlier sent memos to Director of the UD Department, the DM and other concerned authorities for solution to their problems soon. As their demands are not addressed, they resorted to the dharna.
When asked, NAC Executive Officer Hrusikesh Pani said his UD Department is sending several letters and reminders for privatisation of solid waste management activities here. If he fails to abide by the direction, he would be held responsible and action would be taken against him for noncompliance of the order.
He also said that EPF for all the sweepers is being deposited since 2011 and they are paid remuneration as per the provisions of the labour laws.
They would also be given priority in SOM activities even if it is given to private agencies. The local MlA has too assured them to raise their problems in the coming Assembly session.