Tamil Nadu: Councillor’s hubby allots work to sanitary workers

COIMBATORE: Sanitary workers from ward 61 have raised objections to the interference of the ward councillor’s husband in allotting them work.
According to them, councillor Adhi Maheswari’s husband Dravida Mani turned up at the sanitary inspector’s office early in the morning on Wednesday, sat on the sanitary inspector’s chair and allotted them work.
The sanitary workers surrounded him and questioned his act. They also shot videos of him sitting on the sanitary inspector’s chair and allotting them work. Later, they shared the videos on social media.
R Tamil Nadu Selvam, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Annal Ambedkar Scavengers and General Employee Association, said the councillor’s husband spoke to the workers in a threatening tone. “He reached the sanitary inspector’s office at 6am, checked the attendance of the workers and told them that they should henceforth carry out works only directed by him.”
He said only sanitary inspectors could allocate work on a daily basis that too through sanitary supervisors. “The councillors can check the work and if they are not satisfied, take up the issue with the concerned officials. They can also point out where the work needs to be carried out.”
When contacted, Mani said the councillor was unwell and on bed rest. “Since she could not attend to the scores of complaints regarding cleaning issues, as she could not go out, I went to the office and asked the workers to carry out certain work.”
The sanitary workers have taken up the issue with corporation commissioner M Prathap. “We have lodged a complaint with him and submitted the videos as evidence.”
A senior corporation official said he would look into the issue and take appropriate action.