Delhi L-G offers Rs 300 crore loan to 2 MCDs from DDA to end stir

In a bid to end the 10-day strike called by around 90,000 civic workers, lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung announced a Rs 300-crore loan to two cash-strapped municipal corporations on Friday, but the protesters refused to relent though there was indication that the strike may be called off by Saturday.

Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay, whose party runs the three municipal bodies, said the mayors are in touch with the protesters and have conveyed to him that there will be “good result” on Saturday.

After a meeting with the three mayors, Mr Jung’s office said Rs 300 crore will be given to the East and North Delhi Municipal Corporations as a loan from the Delhi Development Authority. He also appealed to the protesters to end the indefinite protest in the “interest of the city.” However, the civic employees said they will continue their strike.

“We rejected his offer as we have not been striking only for salaries. Our other demands like payment of arrears and unification of three municipal corporations are yet to be fulfilled,” Rajendra Mewati, general secretary of the United Front of MCD Employees, said.

The Delhi government has already released an amount of `693 crore to the two municipal corporations, out of which Rs 551 crore is a loan, taking the total assistance to over Rs 1,000 crore. Mr Jung’s office said the amount of Rs 1,000 crore will take care of the salaries of all employees and officials of the three MCDs till March 31, 2016.

Meanwhile, the Delhi police has submitted a report to Mr Jung mentioning that the ongoing strike has the potential to deteriorate the law and order situation in the city. The strike entered 10th day on Friday, crippling the garbage disposal system. The sanitation staff was joined by teachers, doctors, nurses and contractors of the civic bodies a few days back.

A leader of the Municipal Corporation Doctors’ Association said they will call off the strike provided they are given an assurance by the municipal commissioners and mayors that no action will be taken against them and there will be no salary cut for joining the agitation. A body of municipal corporation teachers said they are ready to end the strike as soon as they get their salaries in their bank accounts.