Priority to substitute safai karamcharis in unauth. colonies:Sheila

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today requested Lt Governor Tejender Khanna to issue necessary directions to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for giving priority, in engagement of contract basis employees for carrying out sanitation in unauthorised colonies, to the Avjidars/Substitute Safai Karamcharies who have been employed for several years and are familiar with the job.

In a communication to the LG, the Chief Minister said there is dissatisfaction in the rank and file of Safai Karamcharies because of the procedure being adopted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for appointment of Safai Karamcharies in respect of sanitation work in unauthorized colonies. The Safai Karamcharies have been demanding that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi should first exhaust to the list of Avjidars in recruitment, even for contract appointment, before its seeks fresh recruits from the market.

Ms Dikshit said the task of keeping clean a city of 16 million has been entrusted upon the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for which city government provide funds.

The Chief Minister had convened a joint meeting of the representatives of the Safai Karamcharies in which the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi informed that the contract karamcharies are being deployed as it is not possible to deploy Municipal Staff in unauthorized colonies till they are transferred to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Ms Dikshit said the unions of Safai Karamcharies have been sitting on 'Dharna' for several days. She further stated that any deterioration in the sanitation levels in the unauthorized colonies may result in health hazards. The city government is willing to release more funds to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for ensuring sanitary condition in unauthorized colonies.

She requested the Lt Governor to intervene so that this extremely vital sector of employees is given justice.

UNI AR SY KP1736