The compensation came after tireless representations by relatives of the victims as well as organisations like Manav Garima that works for the rights of manhole workers.
Almost a decade after many of them lost their breadwinners, relatives of around 11 manhole workers have finally been given the compensation mandated by the Supreme Court in a 2014 ruling.
The compensation came after tireless representations by relatives of the victims as well as organisations like Manav Garima that works for the rights of manhole workers.
“In all 48 people died in the city in the last so many years while entering gutters to clean it. We had been making representation to the AMC since 2014 SC ruling but the matter was delayed on one or the other grounds. But eventually the following intervention from the urban development department the AMC agreed to pay the compensation,” said Purushottam Vaghela of Manav Garima. He said compensation of 38 more manhole workers who died are in the process.
Interestingly, the AMC’s delay came even as the other municipal corporations and municipalities in the state continued to adhere to the Supreme Court’s order and paid the compensation. “The Vadodara Municipal Corporation gave the compensation and so did the one in Jamnagar. Savarkundla and Nadiad municipalities also paid the Rs10 lakh compensation. But the matter got stuck in AMC as far as workers from the city were concerned,” said Vaghela.
Gita Kabira, wife of Ratilal Kabira said the compensation was god-sent. “My husband died while going down a manhole to clean it in 2006. We were given Rs2 lakh as compensation from the AMC and we had no hope of survival as I had two kids to take care of,” said Kabira.
She said after the SC order they had hoped for some compensation but it was not forthcoming.
“The AMC seemed reluctant to give it to us despite the SC order. But almost a decade after my husband died we recently got the rest of the Rs 8 lakh. It will help me take care of the education of my two kids,” said Kabira.
RELIEF FINALLY
- The compensation came after tireless representations by relatives of the victims as well as organisations like Manav Garima that works for the rights of manhole workers.
- AMC’s delay came even as the other municipal corporations and municipalities in the state continued to adhere to the SC order and paid the compensation.
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