EDMC sanitation workers protest near CM's house, AAP slams BJP for 'dirty politics'

NEW DELHI: The striking sanitation workers of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) on Thursday staged a protest near the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to press for their demands, following which the Delhi government accused the BJP of playing "dirty politics".

Sanitation workers of the cash-strapped EDMC, ruled by the BJP, have been on strike since September 12, demanding payment of their pending salaries and regularisation of contract workers.

"Sanitation workers are protesting outside my residence. BJP has misled them. I am going to talk to them and present facts before them. I am really worried about the sanitation arrangements in the city and the workers. They have to protest every two months to get their salaries," Kejriwal tweeted on Thursday.

He also met representatives of some organisations of sanitation workers to place facts related to funds released by the Delhi government to the municipal corporations.

"In 2014-15, when Delhi was under the President's Rule, EDMC was given Rs 396 crore out of which Rs 45 crore was deducted as recovery of loan. During 2017-18, the Delhi government provided Rs 724 crore to EDMC and no interest on the outstanding loan was deducted," according to a Delhi government statement.

"How is it possible that EDMC which could pay salaries in 2014-15 in half the funds that it got from Delhi government then, now says it is unable to do so when it is getting almost double the amount?" it said.

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it is providing an additional Rs 330 crore to EDMC alone to enable it to pay salaries of sanitation workers.

"So the total amount is given to the civic body in just six months of the current financial year is now Rs 770 crore. The government has already released Rs 440 crore to EDMC within first six months of this year," the statement claimed.

The Delhi government further alleged that money provided to EDMC was being "diverted" for payment of contractors.

It also questioned the Centre why it was not providing Delhi Rs 488 per person grant which it was paying to other civic bodies in the country, as per 14th Finance Commission recommendations.