Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that his government would release the pending salaries of sanitation workers, doctors and teachers of municipal corporations for April-May.
Addressing the ‘Samvad with Safai Karamcharis’ at Ramlila Maidan, Kejriwal reportedly said, “Sometimes I wonder, how the salaries were not given … it has never happened in the history of Municipal Corporation of Delhi. But, a month after our government assumed charge, the matter came up … And, then when people went to Mayors for release of due amount, they sent them to me, ‘Go ask it from Kejriwal’ and I realised some things were being politicised. But, despite all that, you have voted us to power and it is time for us to pay you back. And, therefore, after releasing the salary for March, we will now release your (sanitation workers) salaries for April and May. And, we will also release it for doctors and teacher. But, after that, if the matter still persists then go to the BJP-led corporations and Mayors.”
He further added, “Despite our own financial woes and to honour the support shown by all of you to the Aam Aadmi Party, we first provided financial respite to you in May, then in April and are doing it again. But please understand, we don’t have the means to continue doing so.”
Kejriwal further 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 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.