Lack of staff, bins mar Swachh Haryana campaign

Lack of staff, bins mar

Swachh Haryana campaign

Photo: Garbage strewn around a broken bin on Railway Road in Kurukshetra. HT PHOTO

Vijay Sabharwal

letterschd@hindustantimes.com

Kurukshetra: The appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Swachh Bharat and the campaign started by the state government for a Swachh Haryana from November 1 to 7 seem to have had a little impact on people and municipal administration of twin towns of Thanesar and Kurukshetra as heaps of garbage could be seen at many places.

On his part, Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Nikhil Gajraj has constituted various committees to supervise the cleanliness drive and responsibility of all the 31 wards of Thanesar (Kurukshetra) municipality has been assigned to separate government officers. Many officers are themselves participating in the cleanliness drive to motivate people. But all this is not proving sufficient due to the shortage of garbage bins as well as sweepers with the Thanesar municipality.

The termination of services of 192 contractual sweepers by the municipality on Monday has further aggravated the situation arising out of the shortage of sweepers.

A broken garbage bin placed at Railway Road is an eyesore for pilgrims who visit the religious town. Residents as well as shopkeepers litter around the broken bin. Cows rummage through garbage and stench emanating from it gives passers-by a horrid time.

A resident of the area, Ravi Sethi said juice sellers and egg vendors add to the mess by throwing garbage around the broken bin. He said ‘rehri wallahs’ have illegally occupied the road side. Though vendors other than vegetable sellers are banned in the municipal area, these ‘rehri wallahs’ sell eggs that too just near a police station.

A sweeper of the area said these vendors refuse to heed her requests of not littering the public place. She said she can only bring the problem to the notice of high-ups but no action has been taken ever. People litter again at the site within minutes after the place is cleaned up in the morning, she added.

When contacted, Thanesar sanitary inspector Pradeep Sharma said there is acute shortage of garbage bins and efforts are being made to arrange more garbage bins.

Meanwhile, 192 out of the 352 ‘safai’ workers whose services were terminated are holding demonstration everyday in front of office of municipality. Ramesh Kumar, a protesting sweeper, said they were assured that their services would not be terminated after the assembly elections, it proved to be a hollow promise. They have not got their salaries since July, he added.

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