Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: Despite the district administration’s warning to invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), the ongoing indefinite strike by Safai Karamcharis of Udhampur Municipal Committee entered into 18th day.
Even after a detailed meeting between the District Administration and protesting Safai Karamcharis, deadlock continued over the issues of the protestors, who are demanding regularization, enhancement in wages etc.
ADC Vikas Sharma represented the District Administration while some prominent citizens also took part in the meeting for supporting the demands of protesters.
“The ADC informed that the Director Local Bodies has assured to consider our demands by September 15 before the enforcement of Modal Code of Conduct but we asked them to do the same by August 15 with a written agreement,” said Girdhari Lal, president of the Safai Karamcharis Union.
Earlier, the protesting Safai Karamcharis took out a protest march from the premises of Municipal Council Udhampur to the Office of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur by passing through City Light Cinema Chowk, Dabber Chowk, Gole Market, Mukerjee Bazar, Ramnagar Chowk, Court Road, Salathia Chowk and Dhar Road. The protest march was also joined by some prominent citizens who extended their support to the demands of Safai Karamcharis.
After reaching near the Office of Deputy Commissioner, the protesters held a demonstration raising slogans against Government and in favour of their demands.
In absence of the Deputy Commissioner, the leaders of Safaikaramcharis Union submitted their demands to ADC.
Meanwhile, the situation in turning from bad to worse with each day of ongoing strike as drains are blocked and dumps of solid are seen here and there at Adarsh Colony, Dhar road, TCP Domail, Chabutra Bazar, Talab Sallian area, Hospital Road, Pandev Mandir area, Shiv Nagar, Bus Stand area and the main markets of Udhampur Town.
There is also an apprehension of epidemic as the foul smell is emitting from heaps of garbage.
To tackle the situation, the District Administration has issued a circular through media warning enforcement of ESMA within 24 hours if the protesting employees of the Municipal body do not attend their duties.
Follow our WhatsApp channel