Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 13
AS the total cease work strike of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) employees entered its third consecutive day today, accumulated heaps of unattended garbage have begun to show its ugly side posing a serious health hazards to the citizens. Piled up heap of wastes at designated spots around Dimapur town could be seen staring hard at the passersby as they gesture to snub at the sites.Meanwhile, the resolute placard welding employees of the Dimapur Municipal Council continued their agitation today in their office premises. The Employees’ Association has been demanding revocation of the government’s order which has empowered lessees to collect toll tax in and around Dimapur on contract basis.
Aggrieved members of DMC Employees’ Association have been demanding collection of various toll tax under DMC jurisdiction directly by its officials to enable the Council to pay requisite salary to its staff and employees in time and also towards expenses for the developmental works within its jurisdiction.
The Association contended that DMC with 305 employees has ‘enough manpower’ to man the toll gates and run its affairs without outside interference. Terming the office of the DMC as a public house which works for the general welfare, the Association said it required revenues for implementation of the work.
Without holding any prejudice against the different lessees, the Association has, however, strongly expressed dissatisfaction over the policy and system of the Urban Development department in awarding contract which has given rise to the present imbroglio.
DMC Employees’ Association has claimed to have collected Rs 1,19,78510 during September and November. To the astonishment of the Association, State Joint Secretary has passed an order which approved the lessees to deposit monthly amount of Rs 21,65,600.
The Association was of the view that the lessees should deposit a minimum of Rs 50 lakh monthly in order to make the council functional. Basing on arithmetical calculation, it felt that a whooping amount of Rs 30 lakh was wasted on lessees which could have been utilised for development purposes.
Meanwhile, it was learned that Parliamentary Secretary for Urban Development Zhaleo Rio will meet the members of agitating DMC Employees’ Association at 9 am on December 14.
Even as the tussle continues, the public are at the receiving end with mounting unattended garbage in various locations following the total cease work imposed by the DMC employees thereby causing immense health hazards.
Various residents around Dimapur town have voiced uniformly for early settlement of the imbroglio in order to present good image of the town and more importantly accord hospitable atmosphere to visiting guests during the festive season.
Citizens Forum appeals to govt, DMC employees
EMN
THE Dimapur District Citizens Forum (DDCF) has appealed to the department concerned and the DMC Employees Association to resolve the issue of toll tax among themselves for greater interest of the citizens of Dimapur.
In a release today, the DDCF said it has great honour for the government as well as sympathy for the DMC employees, and at the same time, it has also prime concern for the health, hygiene and cleanliness of the city and its citizens.
The garbage lying on the streets of the city may lead to break out of epidemic and diseases as the DMC has not lifted them for the last few days, the release said and added that the public has to walk with one hand on their nose to avoid the unbearable smell of the garbage.
A delegation of the DDCF led by its president N Joseph Lemtur and other office bearers, including Khekuto Zakha, KK Paul, Chandu Agarwal, A Rahman and Kumar Subba, visited the agitating DMC employees and heard their grievances, the release said.
The delegation appealed to the DMC employees to resolve the issue with the department concerned at the earliest or at least suspend their agitation till December 25, keeping in mind the health concerns of the citizens, the festive Christmas season and the image of the city in front of domestic and international tourists and also their responsibilities towards the public.
Further, the DDCF condemned the incidents wherein the toll tax gates of DMC were burnt down and also the attempt to burn down the DMC office by unknown persons, saying these matters cannot be resolved in such a manner.
