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RMC resorts to ‘no work no pay’ decision to end strike

Tuesday, 11 February 2014 08:44 administrator
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The Pioneer              11.02.2014

RMC resorts to ‘no work no pay’ decision to end strike

The decision of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials, ‘No work no pay’ to end the strike of RMC employees who have been in indefinite strike is turning out to be a contentious issue between the RMC officials and employees.

After the board meeting RMC Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijayvargiya announced the decision and stated, “The strike has made a dent on the routine work of RMC. Department has tried everything to end the strike but the stern attitude of RMC employees has forced us to take this action.” RMC employees are on indefinite strike since Feburary 1 to press their seven point demands which include employment on compensatory ground, clear 70 per cent arrear of employees under Fifth Pay Commission and to increase the privilege leave gap from 240 to 300.

RMC CEO Manoj Kumar sharing the information said, “I have written letter to the secretary of Urban Development Department and have asked them to take the concrete action in this direction at earliest. We are waiting for their reply.” He further added that the administration has accepted their demands and had taken action too. Moreover, employees have been requested to resume the services but their uncertain attitude has forced the civic body to adopt a stern action against them.

Meanwhile, the civic body employees decided to continue their strike. An RMC employee on strike Naresh Ram protesting the decision of the civic body said, “It seems that RMC do not want to end the strike. Such decisions will not put a break on our protest but instead will ignite the anger more. The strike will continue unless we are handed a written consent from the administration.”

The employees have decided to stage their demonstration in front of Raj Bhawan on Feburary 12. “The administration has to take back their decision in our protest we will place this point too in front of the Governor,” added Ram. In the meeting ward councilors demanded to form a committee to investigate the irregularities in utilization of funds. Moreover, put stress on conducting board meeting monthly and put brakes on putting up of hoarding within the city. “All the demands will be taken into consideration and will work accordingly,” added Vijayvargia.

Meanwhile, the ward councilor also raised their voice for providing rehabilitation to the displaced of Islam Nagar on which Vijayvargia assured to look into the matter.

 

Corporation Nod for Pachalam ROB Realignment

Tuesday, 11 February 2014 07:44 administrator
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The New Indian Express            11.02.2014

Corporation Nod for Pachalam ROB Realignment

Despite strong resistance from LDF councillors, the Corporation Council approved the realignment of Pachalam Railway Over Bridge (ROB) as suggested by DMRC and gave the project in-principle approval. Express File photo
Despite strong resistance from LDF councillors, the Corporation Council approved the realignment of Pachalam Railway Over Bridge (ROB) as suggested by DMRC and gave the project in-principle approval. Express File photo

Despite strong resistance from LDF councillors, the Corporation Council approved the realignment of Pachalam Railway Over Bridge (ROB) as suggested by DMRC and gave the project in-principle approval. The Corporation approved the agenda item related to this after it was put for vote in the corporation council on Monday.

The decision came after more than three hours of gruelling discussions about the new design of ROB. The DMRC had proposed a redesign for the long-pending Pachalam ROB project,

limiting the bridge width to 10 meters instead of the 40 meters as in the earlier JNNURM proposal. The related land acquisition costs, claimed the ruling council of the corporation, would come down to `30 crore with this re-design from the earlier estimated `300 crore. According to the corporation, the state government would bear 50 per cent cost of the project and the remaining would be funded by the Railways.

Opposition leader of the house K J Jacob started the debate following which the opposition members vehemently opposed the re-design. Jacob said that by giving approval for a 10 meter bridge, replacing the original 40 meter width of the ROB project, the corporation is trying to jeopardize future development of the Mamangalam-Vaduthala region. “This is being done eying the upcoming Lok Sabha election,” said Jacob. Spearheading the attack against the ruling council, Opposition councillor M Anilkumar said that the there is no ground to the ruling council’s claim of non-availability of funds for a 40 meter bridge. “Funds can be garnered if it’s implemented in the DTP scheme and using GIDA funds and asking the state government for the remaining funds,” said AnilKumar.

However, development committee chairman T J Vinod Kumar and Town Planning Committee Chairman K J Sohan countered this view. “For the 40 meter bridge to be implemented under the JNNURM scheme, the centre would spent only `2.24 crore but the Corporation would have to spend around `300 crore. The DTP scheme of work is not practical as the land will have to be forcefully taken away from people,” said Vinod Kumar.

K J Sohan said that other longer bridges can be constructed in the region in future and that the proposed bridge will not be a hinder to that. Anilkumar opposed this view and said that if the redesign is approved, it will become impossible for the civic body to materialise its original development plan for the region because of the alignment of the road.

He added that chances are low for the redesign to get approval from railways and alleged that the council has tampered with files related to the original project.

 

Deadlock ends as sweepers to wear A2Z uniforms, sell it recyclable waste

Tuesday, 11 February 2014 06:57 administrator
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The Indian Express            11.02.2014

Deadlock ends as sweepers to wear A2Z uniforms, sell it recyclable waste

In Ludhiana on Sunday. Gurmeet Singh 

Almost after three years, the deadlock between A2Z garbage lifting company and Valmiki Samaj workers ended on Sunday, with both the parties reaching a compromise over garbage lifting in the city.

A2Z company, hired by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation for collecting garbage from door to door and transporting it to the dumping sites, reached the compromise with the Valmiki Samaj Bachao Andolan. According to the compromise, the sweepers from Valmiki Samaj will continue collecting garbage from door to door but they will have to hand over garbage to A2Z vehicles or bins and not throw it in nooks and corners.

Talking to Newsline, Rajnish Mehra, CEO, A2Z company, said: “Valmiki Samaj was doubtful of we snatching their livelihoods. But today we have made it clear that they can keep doing their work like before collecting garbage from doorsteps but will not be allowed to throw it anywhere. They will put it in bins placed by us or at dumping sites from where our vehicles will further transport it.”

Mehra added, “Now Valmiki Samaj will be given our uniforms which they have to wear while working and in the next couple of days, the process of distributing uniforms in all the wards will be done.”

Mehra said the “step will ensure a win-win situation for both the parties and make Ludhiana free from eyesores of garbage heaps”.

A2Z has agreed on providing health insurance to all Valmiki sweepers along with monthly health check-ups. Another major step taken has been to ensure that sweepers earn from the recyclable garbage.

“A2Z has agreed to buy plastic sheets and other recyclable material from Valmiki sweepers at market rates. We want to ensure that their livelihood is not affected because of us,” said Mehra.

The toll-free number run by A2Z for garbage-lifting complaints — 1800-1200-117 — was also shared with hundreds of Valmiki workers who came to meet Mehra and Joint Commissioner A S Sekhon at Circuit House on Sunday.

Surinder Kalyan, head, Valmiki Samaj Bachao Andolan, told Newsline, “We are completely satisfied with all the points made by A2Z and will be working in cooperation with them wearing their uniforms.”

 
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