Workers stop collection, protest assault
PANJIM, JUNE 28
The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is heading for a troubled monsoon with garbage collection staff striking work protesting the recent assault on rag pickers.
Heaps of garbage emanating stench were seen in the city at various points. The continuous rains in the last few days worsened the situation with garbage being washed on the roads at St Inez, Tambdi Mati, 18 June Road, near post office and at various other places in the city.
The contractor, Shakeel Abdul Wahab, who was collecting the garbage for segregation and also sending it for recycling outside the State, has not picked up waste for over a week, after his workers were beaten up by unknown persons.
“We don’t have the required workforce to collect the garbage and sort it. The workers who used to collect and segregate the garbage have stopped work”, Mayor Carolina Po said.
She said that Corporation will, however, urge Shakeel to commence work on garbage collection. “We hope he continues with his work. If not, we will have to look for some other option”, Po said.
Meanwhile, residents expressed fears of a looming health hazard if an immediate solution was not found to the garbage problem.
“The garbage spilling onto the road is a big problem for people residing in the vicinity. It emanates a peculiar smell which creates difficulty for people to walk, breathe and move around”, a resident from St Inez complained.
Residents from Campal and surrounding areas also expressed similar fears saying flies and mosquitoes are swarming these areas making it extremely difficult to move about.
Last week, a group of rag pickers were beaten up by some unknown persons over payment of ‘hafta’. The contractor Shakeel had demanded police protection, which has not been provided.
