Civic Workers in Madikeri Stage Protest for Clean Environment and Better Facilities
Civic workers attached to the Gonikoppal Gram Panchayat (GP) in Madikeri, under the banner of the Karnataka State Civic Workers Association, organized a significant protest on Friday. The demonstration took place in front of the GP office, where workers voiced their demands for a clean environment and improved living conditions.
Key Demands of the Protesting Workers
The primary focus of the protest was the demand for the eviction of fish and pork markets located near the residences of the civic workers. According to the workers, these markets have created an unhygienic environment, posing health risks to the 24 families who have been living in the area for several years. The association president, DR Raju, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure a safe and healthy living space for the workers and their families.
Administrative Inaction and Rehabilitation Plans
Raju highlighted that the Kodagu district administration had previously instructed the panchayat to clear the markets, septic tanks, and pig breeding centers in the region. However, no concrete action has been taken to implement these directives. Additionally, the administration has identified land for the rehabilitation of the workers, but the panchayat has yet to act on this matter, further fueling the workers' frustration.
Panchayat's Response and Future Steps
In response to the protest, Panchayat president K Pramod Ganapathy explained that the tender process for the market shops was postponed following instructions from Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. He assured that further action would be taken after discussions with the MLA. Panchayat members also pledged to address the workers' problems and urged them to call off the protest. Following these assurances, the civic workers decided to withdraw their demonstration, hoping for prompt resolution of their demands.
This protest underscores the ongoing challenges faced by civic workers in Karnataka regarding environmental hygiene and living conditions. The situation calls for immediate attention from local authorities to prevent future unrest and ensure the well-being of these essential workers.
