Sign in

40% of sanitation staff linked to union leaders: MCG data

Internal inquiry was initiated last month after sanitation workers staged a protest against the civic body for nearly two months now

Updated on: Dec 8, 2023, 06:18:09 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has prepared a data on 1,200 sanitation workers who were found either to be relatives of union leaders or referred by them. An internal inquiry was initiated last month after the sanitation workers staged a protest against the civic body for nearly two months now, officials aware of the matter said on Thursday.

Sanitation workers protest near Sadar Bazaar in Gurugram on Thursday. (Parveen Kumar)
Sanitation workers protest near Sadar Bazaar in Gurugram on Thursday. (Parveen Kumar)

MCG officials said that after the internal inquiry it was found that 40% of the on-roll sanitation workers were appointed through a few union leaders and they are taking part in the ongoing strike. Those found guilty will be immediately terminated, they added.

Naresh Kumar, MCG joint commissioner, said that these workers have come under the scanner and officials are checking their records. “We are preparing a list of workers who are relatives of the union leaders and another for those who were recommended by them,” he said.

Kumar said that these workers were found to remain absent during duty hours for almost a year, after which complaints were received by the department. “We questioned the officials who were involved in hiring them and also those involved in the chain to connect the dots. Those who remained absent got their salaries despite not attending their duties,” he said.

According to orders issued by MCG commissioner PC Meena, the inquiry committee will be headed by Kumar.

Officials said that 2,000 sanitation workers continue to hold the city to ransom for more than 55 days by taking part in the strike.

Kumar said that the strike is just a way to create nuisance and get paid without working. Majority of the employees who are continuing the strike have remained absent from duty or had multiple complaints from RWAs against them. They are all related to each other. An inquiry has been launched to verify their hiring process and release of salaries despite their absence. Any MCG official found involved will be penalised too,” he said.

However, defying all ultimatums, the striking sanitation workers have intensified their ongoing strike by converting it into a relay hunger strike. They have accused the Haryana government of indifference and said it was MCG that is responsible for the city’s plight. The workers are protesting to demand an increase in salary, regularisation of staff on pay roll and reinstating services of those who have been laid off.

Meanwhile, the mega sanitation drive, being jointly conducted by MCG and Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority, has entered the sixth day and the main roads have been cleared. Garbage collection has started, though sweeping is yet to resume, said officials.

  • Leena Dhankhar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Leena Dhankhar

    Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More