Sanitation workers say too much confusion after Noida reshuffle

Noida: A week after Noida Authority integrated its health department with work circles, sanitation workers have claimed the move has created confusion and operational problems. Workers said they previously reported to designated officials within the health department but are now required to coordinate with multiple officials.The Authority has merged the health department and traffic cell with the work circles. Under the new system, sanitation, sewer maintenance, drainage work and traffic-related responsibilities will be handled directly by zonal work circle officials. Officials said the move would address accountability gaps and prevent departments from shifting responsibility.
"We would clean designated areas and report to officials in the health department. After the merger last week, a worker cleaning three to four sectors now falls under the jurisdiction of different work circles. Who do we report to?" asked Satveer, a sanitation worker. The health department earlier functioned independently with a senior manager, managers and sanitation inspectors. Nearly 1,500 contractual sanitation workers went on strike, opposing the new norms and demanding regularisation of their services. The workers have sought medical insurance for employees hired through agencies.The strike took a toll on neighbourhoods across Noida. General secretary of Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations KK Jain said garbage was not picked up regularly from sectors 34, 35, 50 and 51. In Sector 27, garbage piled up in front of a primary school. A resident of the sector, Ankita Nigam, said, "Garbage has remained scattered in E Block for a week now. It is blocking the road and creating a problem for residents and commuters." General manager of the Authority SP Singh, who is in charge of work circles 1-5, said discussions were held with the protesting workers, following which they resumed duty on Wednesday. " The workers were informed about contact persons in respective work circles. A meeting with workers and supervisors has been scheduled at Balak Inter College in Sector 91 on Thursday to address the confusion the workers have," he said.He added that a request for proposal will be issued shortly to finalise an agency for providing medical facilities to the workers. The Authority has agreed to increase allowances for oil and soap and provide raincoats to the workers before monsoon.