Sanitation work is outsourced by the Thanjavur municipality and soon tenders will be called to engage 197 sanitary workers through private parties in the work, said Janaki Ravindran, Commissioner of Thanjavur municipality, here on Friday.

Speaking at the regular municipal meeting, Ms. Janaki Ravindran said that it was already decided that 181 workers would be needed for sanitation work in the wards. Recently 16 municipality permanent staff had retired. Along with them 197 workers will be engaged on private basis for sanitation works.

Regarding operation and maintenance of the gasifier at Shanthivanam cremation ground of Sundaram Nagar, the Commissioner said that Environment Health Education and Development Trust, a private organisation, has come forward to take up the work.

It has proposed to give Rs.1,500 for cremating one body, out of which the municipality will get Rs.100 for giving wages to workers, meet fuel expenses among others. Rajeswaran, councillor, appealed to the Commissioner to fix the rates for cremating bodies in all the cremation grounds in Thanjavur, including Raja Gori, the main cremation ground and Mariammankoil cremation ground.

As proper wages or other service charges have not been fixed, workers demand exorbitant amount. He also demanded putting up speed breakers near Sacred Heart Convent at Mary's corner, near Uzhavar Sandhai on Nanjikottai road and Thenkeel Alankam.

Sun Ramanathan, councillor, said that for cremating a body the workers demanded Rs.3,500 recently.

Savithiri Gopal, chairperson of Thanjavur municipality, presided over.