GVMC park workers left in the lurch

Horticulture and other workers at Sivaji Park at MVP Colony and Lumbini Park near Appu Ghar have not received their meagre wages for more than three months now.

Horticulture and other workers at Sivaji Park at MVP Colony and Lumbini Park near Appu Ghar have not received their meagre wages for more than three months now.

The two parks together have 26 horticulture workers in April. Altogether the two parks have 65 workers in horticulture and other wings. But subsequently the number has been reduced, it was learnt.

The two parks were earlier managed by the Water Works wing of the GVMC but now brought under the horticulture wing.

The proposal to hand over the maintenance of Lumbini Park to a contractor was opposed at the general body meeting of the GVMC towards the end of its tenure.

For improving Sivaji Park, the corporation had sought the views of various sections of people.

Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu had held a meeting to elicit views on improvement. Following charges of the park being privatised, he said the move was only meant to add some more attractions so that it would be a place worth visiting for tourists coming to the city from other parts of the State as well from neighbouring States.

While the proposals are still pending, the workers have not received the wages.

Official sources told The Hindu the parks were handed over to the Horticulture wing from April 14.

The proposals for payment of wages have been sent by the zone commissioner to the Additional Commissioner (General) and to the Commissioner.

The outsourced workers get around Rs.5,500 a month, it was learnt.