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Civic body dumps issue of ragpickers, says not priority

After much deliberation over finding a solution to the problem of unlicensed ragpickers thronging the Deonar dumping ground, the BMC has now indefinitely put the decision of the fate of 1,200-odd ragp

After much deliberation over finding a solution to the problem of unlicensed ragpickers thronging the Deonar dumping ground, the BMC has now indefinitely put the decision of the fate of 1,200-odd ragpickers on hold. Citing problems of time and manpower crunch to carry out the job of name tagging these ragpickers and giving them identity cards issued using radio frequency, an official of the solid waste management department said the ‘last thing on their mind about the Deonar dump is the ragpickers’ issue’. These identity cards would have enabled the BMC to locate the ragpickers’ location in the dumping yard at any given time.

Ragpickers were banned from entering into the dumpyard on suspicion they had a role in the fires. Following intervention from many activists and NGOs working for ragpickers (including Stree Mukti Sanghatna, Apnalay and Force), the civic body decided to control the entry of ragpickers into the dumping yard, instead of banning them entirely.

The BMC had shortlisted about 700 out of the 300-odd ragpickers in the area. These persons were supposed to undergo police verification and get ID cards. One-and-a-half months later, these 700 individuals are still jobless.

A civic official from the solid waste management department said, “There are other pressing issues that need to be addressed for the dumping ground. We need to take care of the leachate entering the Thane creek, set up watch towers on the periphery of the dumping ground, and set up a waste processing unit inside the dumping ground. Right now that is on hold.”

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