Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi met the striking sanitation workers at East Delhi MCD office on Friday, heard their complaints out and promised that he would ‘fight their battle’ with them.
Addressing the protesting workers, Rahul was quoted saying, “Central Government and Delhi Government are both shunning responsibilities, I say I will take up your responsibility.” He further added, “You are equivalent to the Army, you are not just safai karamchaarees (sanitation workers). Whenever you will call me, I will come and meet you. If you ask Government for help, you won’t get any. But show of strength will get work done in five mins. This dharna (protest) is the right way to go.”
Slogans such as ‘Abhi to ye angdai hai, aage aur ladai hai (There is a fight ahead)’ and ‘Humara PM kaisa ho, Rahul Gandhi jaisa ho (Our PM should be one like Rahul Gandhi)’ were raised during the meet.
Meanwhile, the High Court also directed the Delhi Government to release by June 15 the salary dues of East Delhi MCD employees.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia confirmed that Rs 513 crore were released on Thursday for MCD salaries, in a tweet:
513 cr were released yesterday for MCD salaries. 180 cr for EDMC and 333 cr for North. It was promised by CM to MCD employees.
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 12, 2015
Earlier today, LG Najeeb Jung has appealed to the Mayors to persuade the employees to call off the strike in the interest of the citizens of Delhi. Jung told the mayors that the Delhi Government would release the Rs 493 crore to the civic bodies on Friday itself.
Kejriwal on Tuesday declared a release of funds amounting to Rs.500 crore to assist the striking staff of the civic body. He claimed that the government will disburse Rs.292 crore to the East Delhi Municipal Corporation and over Rs.300 crore to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation.
MCD employees previously held protests by spilling garbage on the streets and demanded their pending salaries by holding protests outside the minister’s house, and blamed the NDA and AAP government for playing blame games instead of taking actions.