The protesting MCD workers refused to call off their strike, claiming that lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has assured them of looking into their demands.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Rs551 crore loan money deal failed to cut ice with the civic bodies of Delhi, as the strike by municipal workers entered its ninth day, with a delegation of workers claiming that the funds offered by the Aam Aadmi Party government was insufficient.
The protesting MCD workers refused to call off their strike, claiming that lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has assured them of looking into their demands. Jung had met union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday and had briefed him about the massive MCD strike.
“Since the funds offered by the government is not sufficient to pay our dues, we will be continuing the strike,” a representative of one of the MCD workers’union said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had yesterday announced a loan of Rs 551 crore to two BJP-ruled civic bodies, East Delhi Municipal Corporation and North Delhi Municipal Corporation, to pay salaries to their employees.
Meanwhile, the mayors of three BJP-ruled MCDs today discussed the issue with deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and claimed the Delhi government is likely to give Rs 307 crore more to pay their salaries.
"Sisodia said he will talk to the Lt Governor and CM for the release of additional Rs 307 crore to North and East municipal corporations," North Delhi Mayor Ravinder Gupta said, adding that releasing some money is not a permanent solution to the financial crisis of the civic bodies.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday, tweeted, “Met all 3 Mayors just now. They hv assured me that they are making all efforts to get the striking employees back to work.”
Nearly 1,30,000 municipal employees have been on strike since last Wednesday in the city, bringing the capital to its knees.
The strike has not only left Delhi stinking with piles of accumulated garbage, it has also caused massive traffic congestion during the peak morning hours with the MCD workers blocking major city roads. The strike has also crippled functioning of hospitals and schools run by civic bodies.
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