Pawan Kumar, Jehanabad, 16th December 2024: Sanitation workers in the Ghosi Nagar Panchayat of Jehanabad district have been on strike for the past five days over various demands, leading to heaps of garbage accumulating in the market area. The workers have been staging a sit-in protest at the Nagar Panchayat office for three consecutive days, voicing their grievances against alleged exploitation by the Panchayat Chairperson and the Executive Officer.
The sanitation workers accuse these officials of arbitrary behavior and corruption, which they claim has forced them into protest. Their demands include the payment of pending wages, the provision of uniforms to all workers, and the appointment of sanitation staff proportionate to the population in each ward.
Leading the protest, CPI (ML) leader Sanjay Chandravanshi stated, “Sanitation workers have been striking for five days, but neither the elected representatives nor the officials have initiated any dialogue. Instead, workers are being threatened to call off the strike or face dismissal. However, the strike will continue until our demands are met.”
Chandravanshi further alleged that corruption and collusion between officials and representatives have created a system of exploitation within the Panchayat. “Funds allocated by the government for sanitation are being misused. Workers are paid lower wages, and the money is pocketed by officials and representatives. Until corruption is eradicated and strict action is taken against the corrupt, the movement will persist,” he said.
The leader emphasized that the workers would not be intimidated and that the CPI (ML) party stands firmly with them. “We will take this fight from the streets to Parliament to ensure justice for the workers,” he added.
The ongoing strike has disrupted daily life in the Nagar Panchayat, with garbage piling up across public spaces, posing significant health and hygiene concerns for the residents. The authorities are yet to respond to the workers’ demands or take steps to resolve the impasse.
