Raipur
Raipur Mayor Meenal Chaubey has taken strict action against Ramky Group following a disruption in the city’s waste management services. The mayor directed officials to deduct ₹18 lakh from the company’s payment and imposed an additional fine of ₹5 lakh after employees went on strike on 13 January.
During a review meeting at the Raipur Municipal Corporation, the mayor instructed the additional commissioner to ensure the deductions are processed immediately to compensate for the service lapse. She warned that the civic body would reconsider the contract if such negligence recurs.
The mayor further directed that fil related to the company’s payments must not be cleared until officials are fully satisfied with the quality of work on the ground.
Strict action for negligence
The review meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Vinod Pandey, Swachh Bharat Mission officials, and Ramky Group local head Yogesh Kumar. Mayor Meenal Chaubey stated that no compromise will be made regarding the cleanliness of Raipur and strict measures will follow any further lapses.
Opposition hits out at municipal body
Leader of Opposition Akash Tiwari criticised the municipal corporation and the mayor, stating that the strike left residents across various localities in distress as door-to-door garbage collection halted.
Tiwari noted that this is the second strike by Ramky Group employees in four months. He recalled a similar protest during Diwali over wage discrepancies. While drivers received a pay hike, helpers did not, leading to continued resentment among the workforce.
“It is unfortunate that such a situation has arisen again in an essential service. A single day without garbage collection has worsened conditions across all 70 wards,” Tiwari said. He also raised concerns over water supply issues, alleging that several areas are receiving contaminated water or facing shortages.
Around 600 to 700 workers are engaged in daily waste collection in Raipur. The recent strike has caused significant inconvenience to the general public.
