In a first of a kind, Surender Chauhan, Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC), along with labourers collected garbage from across the town, amid the ongoing strike of Shimla Heath Beautification Environment and Heritage (SEHB) Society workers, who are responsible for day-to-day garbage collection in the town.
As the cleanliness and day-to-day garbage collection in the town took a hit, the Chauhan himself took the responsibility to collect garbage from all the wards of the town. On Saturday, Chauhan, along with labourers, was seen collecting garbage from households in Shimla. The initiative was also praised by the locals, who lauded him for his efforts.
Chauhan said almost 90 per cent of the garbage was collected by him throughout the day. He said labourers were hired as soon as the workers went on strike, to ensure that the garbage collection in the town is not hit.
The mayor said he has planned to increase the total number of garbage collection vehicles from Monday onwards and will also increase the number of labourers for the same.
“Sunday will be the rest day, however, this drive will continue in the town until the strike will not end. The initiative was taken to fulfill my responsibilities as being the first citizen of the town. This drive will be intensified from Monday onwards to ensure cleanliness across Shimla. Vehicles will be sent to all the residential areas to pick up the garbage. Also, a focal point will be made available for the people residing in areas, which are inaccessible, so that our workers can collect garbage from the designated areas” he said.
Speaking about the ongoing strike of the workers, Chauhan said he has assured the workers that their issues will be heard and resolved by the corporation, for which an Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be conducted on June 4.
He also appealed to the society’s workers to end their strike and resume their duties.
On Friday, hundreds of workers, associated with SEHB Society, went on an indefinite strike against the corporation’s decision to abolish the annual 10 per cent hike in their salaries.
