The municipality has no chairman. He has resigned from his position. Meanwhile, temporary sanitation workers of Balurghat Municipality have stopped work in protest after not receiving their salaries. They had been standing in front of the municipality since Wednesday morning with work suspended. However, as the day progressed, they agreed to return to work after authorities assured them that salaries would be cleared within a day or two.
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Despite it being the 14th of the month, over a hundred temporary sanitation workers stopped work from morning due to non-payment of salaries. Municipal officials went to the spot after receiving news of the protest. Subsequently, municipal authorities sat down for discussions with the sanitation workers. Authorities assured quick resolution of the problem.
Salary delay worsened after chairman’s resignation
However, the protesters alleged that their wages are delayed every month. The problem has increased this month because the municipality has remained without a chairman since the chairman resigned on January 10. Due to this, the sanitation workers have not received their salaries even though half the month is about to pass.
The protesters said that on Makar Sankranti, forget about pithas and pulis, it has become difficult to provide two meals a day for their families. Many don't even have money to buy groceries at home. Days are passing in worry about children and elderly members.
Sumit Basfor, district convener of North Bengal Basfor and Harijan Welfare Organization, said, "It's the 14th already, we still haven't received our salaries. That's why we are holding a symbolic strike. If our salary arrangements are made, we will get back to work." Meanwhile, with sanitation workers not joining work since morning, piles of garbage accumulated house to house on Sankranti day. Garbage also lay scattered on roadsides. However, they agreed to join work after noon.
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Balurghat Municipality Executive Officer Ajaykumar Prasad said, "They receive salaries at this time every month. We have talked to them and resolved the problem. They have joined work. Salaries will be deposited within today or tomorrow. The chairman was the approver. Since he is not there, we have to contact higher authorities to get everything done."
