Punjab Local Bodies Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Friday said that the process of regularising the services of Safai Sewaks/Sewermen has been initiated by the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab besides asserting the appointment letters would be handed over to them in the coming few days.
Making an announcement outside MC Zone-A office where Sewermen Safai Karamchari Sangharsh Committee ended its hunger strike after taking juice from hands of Cabinet Minister, Dr Nijjar said that there was an anomaly in the earlier resolution passed by Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL) which was main hurdle in regularising their services.
He said that directions have already been issued to MCL to expedite the process of passing a fresh resolution in this regard during the next house meeting following which the Punjab Government will complete all the formalities.
He also appreciated MLAs Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Gurpreet Gogi, Madan Lal Bagga, Ashok Parashar Pappi, Kulwant Singh Sidhu and Hardeep Singh Mundian for their persistent efforts in taking up the issue of Safai Sewaks/Sewermen.
While speaking on the occasion, the Cabinet Minister said that regularisation was a right of Safai Sewaks/Sewermen and this will be ensured to them at any cost.
He said that the AAP government stands rock solid with them always and every required step would be taken for their welfare. Hailing the role of Safai Karamcharis during Covid-19, he said that they ensured the clean atmosphere by putting their lives at risk.
Later, the Local Bodies Minister along with MLAs flagged off modernised and advanced ten fire tenders at local fire brigade station near railway station. He said that an amount of Rs 6.44 crore had been spent on these high quality vehicles to strengthen the firefighting capacity in Ludhiana and added it would be instrumental in saving precious lives and properties of the people in fire mishaps.
Likewise, accompanied by MLAs Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Madan Lal Bagga, Ashok Parashar Pappi, Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar also launched e-Rehra project of Rs 9.36 crore for collecting door to door garbage in all 95 wards of the city by flagging the vehicles. He said that 350 e-Rehras would have wet and dry waste compartments which would pave the way for segregation of waste. He said that charging points are being installed zone wise to ensure uninterrupted plying of these e-Rehras.
Earlier in the day, Punjab Police officials accorded guard of honour to the Minister on his arrival at local Circuit House.Prominent among present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik, Commissioner of Police Dr Kaustabh Sharma, MC Commissioner Dr Shena Aggarwal, others officers of Civil & Police Administration were also present.