Thousands of pourakarmikas, like S. Subramani, who committed suicide allegedly over non-payment of wages since February by the BBMP, continue to clean up the city every day without being paid for their work.
The BBMP took over the responsibility of making direct payments to pourakarmikas, who had been working under contractors, from January this year.
But thousands are yet to be paid amidst the BBMP’s decision to pay only after verifying and weeding out ghost and fake workers from the rolls.
Following a massive protest by pourakarmikas in June, then BBMP Commissioner Maheshwar Rao had given a written assurance to clear all dues in three days, which was not honoured.
The BBMP Guttige Pourakarmikara Sangha, in a statement, alleged that it was a ‘design by collusion of officials with contractors to derail direct payment’ to bring contractors back into the space. “Once you begin paying, you agree that the worker is verified. The BBMP claims there is no shortage of funds. Then why not pay the arrears?” said Clifton D'Rozario of the Sangha.
Sarfaraz Khan, Joint Commissioner, SWM, BBMP said biomteric registration of workers was first thought to be a screening mechanism, but was subverted as many without proof of two years’ work experience — one of the conditions — got on to the rolls. “Contractors and mestris have got thousands of new workers on to the rolls, which we are carefully weeding out now. Moreover, the government wants the ratio of one pourakarmika per 700 population to be implemented at the ward level,” he said.
However, pourakarmika unions have opposed the 700:1 ratio and want the BBMP to implement the 500:1 ratio as per IPD Salappa Report of April 1976.
Referring to Subramani, Mr. Khan said he was earlier working as a gangman in mosquito control and started work as a pourakarmika less than a year ago. “We cannot take those working for less than a year on the rolls. We have decided to pay them wages for the work they have done and relieve them. There are around 1,500 such workers in the city,” he said.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies can call Arogya Sahayavani Ph: 104 for help)