Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Conservancy workers told to keep city clean

Special Correspondent

Issuance of regularisation orders turns out to be a celebration Mr. Palanisamy promises them that the demand for an insurance scheme will be considered

RELIEF: A conservancy worker thanks Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (third right) after receiving the regularisation order from him at a function organised by the Coimbatore Corporation in the city on Monday. -Photo: K. Ananthan

COIMBATORE: When the first batch of Coimbatore Corporation's temporary conservancy workers received their regularisation orders from Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy here on Monday, the applause from the others was drowned by the sound of cracker burst. Wafting into the function venue from the nearby marriage hall was the smell of food for the feast that was to follow.

The event to hand over regularisation orders to 766 workers was turned into a celebration by the Corporation because this had come after a long wait - nearly 10 years.

Mr. Palanisamy, Mayor R. Venkatachalam and Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran maintained that this was a special event, though it seemed to be just a routine regularisation of the services of workers.

Appropriate time

Both the Mayor and the Commissioner pointed out that the orders had come at the most appropriate time for the city.

Waste management

The civic body was set to implement a waste management scheme and this required more conservancy workers than its current strength of 2,400 permanent workers.

"I do not think anyone may have heard of such a feast and function elsewhere in the State to hand over regularisation orders," the Minister said.

At the same time, he exhorted the workers to help in keeping the city clean.

Great service

"Keeping more than 2,600 roads clean in a 105.6 sq.km. city is not a mean job. It is a great service. You are much higher than all of us," he said.

The Minister assured to pass on to the Government the workers' demand for employment on compassionate grounds, a welfare fund, pension benefits, free medical scheme, loans from the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Development Corporation, parks and library and also good dwellings.

"I assure you that these will be provided. But, in return, we expect you to work on time and keep the city clean. More than 10 lakh people in this city and the visitors expect you to keep it clean."

The Minister also suggested that every year, the Corporation could present the top three performing conservancy workers in each zone with gold medals of three, two and one sovereigns each.

Mr. Palanisamy also promised them that the demand for an insurance scheme would also be considered.

Filling vacancies

Mr. Venkatachalam said elected representatives could be proud of themselves in their wards only if conservancy workers kept the city clean. The Corporation had to fill 861 vacancies, but had only 766 temporary workers to absorb.

The remaining vacancies would be filled by appointing the children of workers who died in service.

Mr. Muthuveeran said the orders for regularisation had come after persistent efforts. The Corporation could now step up conservancy operations.

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