AITUC Demands More Sanitation Workers in Kakinada
Kakinada, June 3 (TNT): The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) on Wednesday blamed the Andhra Pradesh government for poor sanitation conditions in Kakinada and demanded the immediate recruitment of additional sanitation workers instead of holding existing staff responsible for the situation.
Addressing a gathering of municipal workers here, AITUC State Vice-President T. Madhu referred to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s recent remarks that sanitation standards in Kakinada were “minus four” and questioned how improved sanitation could be achieved without adequate manpower and resources.
He said that when Kakinada’s population was around 2.5 lakh, the city had 15 sanitation circles, 15 sanitation vehicles, 15 tractors and nearly 1,250 sanitation workers. However, despite the population increasing to around 5.7 lakh, the number of sanitation workers has come down to about 800, of whom only around 600 are actively working.
“How can anyone expect better sanitation with such a meagre workforce?” he asked.
Madhu also alleged that several welfare measures and essential supplies for sanitation workers had been discontinued. These included the distribution of uniforms, raincoats, gloves, coconut oil, soap, footwear, pushcarts and waste bins.
He announced that the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Workers Union State Committee would meet at Bhimavaram on June 7 to discuss the issues faced by sanitation workers and formulate an agitation programme to press for their demands.
AITUC District General Secretary Thokala Prasad, AP Municipal Workers Union District President Bobbili Srinivas, District Secretary Tupakula Lakshminarayana and leaders Appanna, Bangaru Rajesh, Nakka Srinu, Lakshman, Bharati and Venkata Lakshmi also addressed the gathering and highlighted the problems confronting municipal sanitation workers.
TNT TMR
