Consequent to the termination of the solid waste management contract to a private agency, the corporation has roped in the services of self-help group members to carry out garbage cleaning in 11 wards of the city.
The task of clearing garbage being generated from the Gandhi Market, Central Bus Stand and Chathiram Bus Stand has been handed over to them. The contract to a Chennai based solid waste management company was cancelled on July 9 owing to a volley of complaints from corporation councillors on poor performance in garbage cleaning. The firm was charged that it did not employ the agreed manpower and machines to clear the garbage generated from allotted wards and clean the storm water drains.
Sources in the Corporation told The Hindu that the arrangement of employing SHG members had come into force from the date of termination of private contract. Most of workers employed by the private company had been brought under Self Help Groups (SHG). A total of 325 workers had joined the groups. They had been absorbed for garbage cleaning work. As per the initial arrangement, they would be employed for August and September. A team had been identified to monitor their activities.
Sources added that as per the population and geographical area of the Corporation, it required 3173 sanitary workers for garbage clearing work. However, the sanctioned strength had not been raised since the State government created 2100 posts in 1998. A number of workers had attained superannuation since then. But, no new appointments were made till now.
At present, the Corporation had just 1412 workers on roll as against 3173 persons. A proposal had been sent to the State government, seeking permission to fill the vacancies on permanent basis. It was waiting for the reply from the government. In addition to the 325 workers, the Corporation had already employed 365 workers on temporary basis.
