Kagaznagar strike disrupts sanitation, drinking water supply
Kagaznagar: Sanitation workers and employees of the drinking water supply wing in Kagaznagar municipality have launched a strike demanding payment of long-pending wages. The workers began a sit-in after repeated appeals to public representatives and officials failed to elicit a response.
Water supply halted for two days
The municipality supplies about 11 million litres of water daily through five tanks, drawing water from the Pedda Vagu source. A total of 32 workers, including pump house operators, water supply staff and electricians, manage pumping, distribution through pipelines, and leak repairs.
Officials said these workers have not been paid for four months. Following the strike that began on Monday, drinking water supply has remained suspended for two consecutive days.
Garbage piles up across town
The sanitation wing employs 141 workers. They said salaries have not been paid for the past five months. Despite launching a strike on the 22nd of this month, now in its ninth day, the workers alleged that the government has remained indifferent.
Several workers said the absence of wages has made it difficult to run their households, while the condition of those suffering from illnesses has worsened. With no sanitation services, garbage has accumulated on roads and streets across the town.
Workers seek government intervention
Sanitation workers said they had repeatedly submitted representations to public representatives and senior officials over irregular salary payments and the alleged failure to deposit provident fund and Employees’ State Insurance contributions deducted from their wages.
The total pending wages payable to sanitation, drinking water and electrician staff amount to ₹1,43,03,285. The issue was taken to the district collector by the municipal commissioner Rajender. The collector has written to the municipal administration secretary, seeking sanction of funds for wage payments.
Workers said the crisis would be resolved only if the government releases special funds at the earliest.
