Chandigarh, August 11
The Sirsa MP, Former Union Minister, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee and CWC Member Kumari Selja said the Haryana government’s alleged failure to honour its commitments and address the concerns of sanitation workers had left people across the state facing the consequences of the ongoing strike. Selja said thousands of tonnes of garbage had accumulated on roads, in markets and residential areas in several cities following the sanitation workers’ agitation. She warned that the accumulation of waste during the monsoon could pose a serious threat to public health.
Selja urged the government to abandon confrontation and hold meaningful talks with the protesting workers. She said resolving their legitimate demands within a fixed timeframe was the responsibility of the government.
“According to media reports, employees associated with 87 urban local bodies and 103 fire stations across the state are participating in the agitation. Nearly 1,000 tonnes of garbage has reportedly accumulated in Hisar alone, while sanitation services have also been disrupted in Rohtak, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Panipat, Ambala, Karnal, Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri,” she said.
Selja said the combination of garbage heaps and waterlogging during the rainy season could increase the risk of mosquitoes, flies and infections. She called for immediate alternative sanitation arrangements and substantive talks with employees to end the deadlock. She said the government must fulfil the commitments made to sanitation workers and provide them with dignified and safe working conditions.