A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) over the worsening sanitation crisis and mounting garbage heaps in several Haryana cities due to the ongoing strike by sanitation workers.
The PIL was filed by Sirsa MLA Gokul Setia seeking immediate restoration of sanitation services, removal of accumulated garbage and urgent measures to protect public health.
In the petition, Setia highlighted the poor sanitation conditions in Sirsa and other Haryana cities, stating that heaps of garbage had created serious risks to public health and daily life. The plea also sought resolution of the issues raised by sanitation workers.
MLA Setia said taking note of the seriousness of the matter, the Chief Justice allowed urgent hearing of the PIL, which was scheduled for May 14.
He said the petition had sought directions to the state government, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and the Health Department to immediately restore sanitation services, clear garbage and take preventive health measures to avoid any outbreak of diseases.
Meanwhile, the strike by sanitation workers in Sirsa entered its 13th day on Wednesday, severely affecting cleanliness in the city. Municipal Council chairman Veer Shanti Swaroop visited the protest site and held talks with workers. His visit came amid growing anger among union members over remarks made by Haryana Cabinet Minister Krishan Bedi.
Workers union leaders Manoj Athwal and Naresh Kumar said sanitation workers had been raising their demands since 2018 and expressed disappointment over the minister’s reported statement that he was unaware of their issues despite several rounds of talks.
Addressing workers, the chairman appealed to them to end their resentment and assured them that the minister would take up their demands with the Chief Minister and facilitate talks with union representatives.
“Due to the strike, over 1,700 tonnes of garbage has accumulated across the city. However, ragpickers collecting plastic and recyclable waste have helped reduce nearly 15 per cent of the waste,” officials said.
Political parties also extended support to the protesting workers. Leaders of the Indian National Lok Dal led by district president Jasbir Singh Jassa visited the protest site and backed workers’ demands, criticising the BJP government for its “indifferent attitude”.
Similarly, leaders of the Jannayak Janta Party also supported protesters and demanded an end to the contract system and implementation of the minimum monthly salary of Rs 15,000 for sanitation workers.
