National body reviews sanitation workers' grievances in Ludhiana
Hardeep Singh Gill, vice-chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), conducted a two-day review of working conditions for sanitation workers employed with the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC). During a meeting at Bachat Bhawan, he listened to workers' grievances and issued directives to address multiple issues. The meeting was attended by MC Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar, along with senior officials from the civic body, district administration, and police.
Factory tragedy sparks legal scrutiny
Gill specifically addressed a recent tragic incident at a local factory where three workers lost their lives while cleaning a septic tank. He noted that the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with the incident did not include the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, or the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Gill directed the police to add these sections to the FIR by Wednesday.
According to Supreme Court guidelines, the families of the deceased workers will receive compensation of Rs 30 lakh each. Additionally, families belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) category will receive a welfare grant of Rs 8.25 lakh from the District Social Welfare Department.
MC given one month to resolve worker issues
The NCSK vice-chairperson reviewed various other issues raised by municipal workers, including salary delays, discrepancies in Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions, leave matters, and the regularisation of workers from the 2022 batch. The MC was given a one-month deadline to resolve all these matters.
District administration to form monitoring committees
Gill also directed the district administration to form monitoring committees headed by Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) within 15 days. These committees are tasked with ensuring the safety of sanitation workers in the district.
