‘Contract sanitation workers’ wage can be raised by council resolution’

The State government has clarified that the ongoing strike by contract sanitation workers across the state has ‘no valid grounds’ as the 74th Constitutional Amendment empowers the respective municipal councils to increase the wages through a resolution.

Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Arvind Kumar, during a video conference on Saturday, asked the municipal commissioners to expedite the process of getting resolutions passed by the municipal councils.

Meanwhile, garbage collection and transportation should be ensured without fail in the 18 municipalities where the strike is on, through alternative arrangements, he said.

Mr. Kumar asked the municipal commissioners to ensure that all officers related to planning, sanitation and engineering should be on the field and personally inspect the sanitation works.

He said special officers will be sent to the districts to oversee the operations.

Property tax collection

Congratulating the commissioners for improved property tax collection, Mr. Kumar said 15 urban local bodies in the state achieved 100% results, and the Khammam corporation, 99%. Fifty-eight ULBs achieved more than 90% of the target.

In view of summer, he asked for setting up of water kiosks at important places where people usually congregate, such as bus stations and traffic islands, with help of local NGOs and other organisations.

Mr. Kumar also instructed the municipal engineers and public health engineers to be prepared for the monsoon and identify areas prone to waterlogging, besides having a contingency plan ready such as removal of encroachments and clearing of nalas.

He also asked the commissioners to take up improvement of at least one major road, two or three traffic islands and urban parks in the respective municipalities from the funds of Telangana Urban Finance and Infrastructure Corporation (TUFIDC). Proposal for scientific disposal of garbage should be prepared and submitted at the earliest, he said.

CDMA Director T.K. Sridevi attended the video conference.