Mysuru: The Pourakarmikas attached to Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) who were agitating since October 3, withdrew their protest following an assurance to that effect from Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy. The demand primarily included regularisation of jobs of temporary civic workers. They will resume work from Wednesday, October 9 morning.
The Pourakarmikas team led by former mayor and President of the Karnataka Safaikarmachari Commission Narayan had threatened that if their demands were not met by Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy, a statewide protest would be launched from Wednesday. They had a meeting with Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy and other ministers at Bengaluru on Tuesday, October 8. During the hour long meeting, Kumarswamy instructed his personal secretary to look into their woes and put up the same for approval during the next cabinet meeting. After positive response from Kumarswamy, the Pourakarmikas leaders assured him of withdrawing their protest and getting back to work from Wednesday.
The protesting civic workers apart from demanding an end to the contract system want the ratio to be revised from the existing one Pourakarmika for 700 citizens to 500. Also, three years ago, Siddaramaiah ordered that Pourakarmikas be provided free breakfast. They also requested the government to pay them the arrears for three years in lieu of the breakfast for which the CM assured of releasing Rs 4.5 Crore. Once the arrears are released, each Pourakarmika will get Rs 24,000 to Rs 25,000. He also assured to change the designation of those working in UGD from Assistant to Pourakarmika so that they are entitled to get all the associated benefits.
K H Jagadeesha, Commissioner, MCC, who too attended the meeting said, “The meeting under the leadership of Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy went on well and even Pourakarmikas led by its leader Narayan were also happy with the outcome. The response from chief minister looks positive. The civic workers will resume work from Wednesday.”
The seven-day protest by Pourakarmikas had turned the twice ‘Smart City’ title holder Mysuru into garbage city.
