Chandigarh: A delegation from the Garbage Collection Society met with the Joint Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health (MOH) officials; an agreement was also reached to hold joint meetings every month. The delegation met with senior Municipal Corporation officials to discuss the garbage collectors' pending demands and the challenges faced in the field in detail. Adopting a positive stance on key demands, the Municipal Corporation officials assured that they would be resolved promptly.
Joint Commissioner Balbir Raj, MOH Inderjit Kaur, and other administrative officials represented the Municipal Corporation at the meeting, while the Society's delegation participated under the leadership of President Dharmbir Rana.
A key issue raised during the meeting was the need to conduct a survey of garbage collectors working in commercial areas and subsequently implement a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Society also demanded that there be no salary deductions due to technical glitches in the facial attendance system or when a helper performs the work during a regular worker's leave.
The garbage collectors demanded the immediate release of pending arrears for the year 2024-25, as well as outstanding payments for raincoats and gumboots. The Society stated that these payments have been pending for a long time and should be disbursed to the employees without delay.
Additionally, demands were made to provide all employees with identity cards, masks, gloves, and other essential safety gear, and to ensure facilities for regular health check-ups at dispensaries.
The meeting also addressed the need to secure the release of a pending insurance claim of ?2.50 lakh with Punjab & Sind Bank. Furthermore, the issue of releasing the annual welfare fund of ?10 lakh—pending for the last five years—was raised.
The Society reported that approximately 70 to 80 vehicles are currently out of order, hindering field operations, and demanded their immediate repair. Additionally, a demand was raised for the regular rotation—at intervals of three to six months—of drivers deployed at MRF centers.
A demand was made to expedite the process of transferring the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the dependents of deceased garbage collectors. The Society stated that the dependents should receive full wages for the work until the transfer process is completed.
Society President Dharmbir Rana proposed holding monthly joint meetings between Municipal Corporation officials and Society representatives to find permanent solutions to field-level issues. The officials agreed to this proposal as well.
After the meeting, Dharmbir Rana thanked the Municipal Corporation officials, including Joint Commissioner Balbir Raj and MOH Inderjit Kaur. He stated that the organization would continue its efforts to address the issues faced by garbage collectors and stand by the employees to safeguard their interests.
The meeting was attended by Chairman Ranveer Singh, General Secretary Vijendra Dulgach, Karan Singh Gori, Ved Prakash Rana, Deepak Nepali, Sanju Lohat, Naresh Kangra, Monu Charan, Geeta Shaktiman, Monika Nagar, Lata Nagar, Naresh Lohat, and Bhajan Lal Bishan Puhal, as well as Leader of the Opposition Surendra Kangra and his team.