PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to stop portraying himself as a saviour of conservancy workers after ignoring their protests for 12 days. Also, allowing police to use “highhanded approach” while removing the protestors outside the Rippon Buildings in Chennai on Wednesday night.
In a statement, he said the demands placed by the conservancy workers were ordinary and justified and there are no obstacles before the Chennai Corporation and State Government to fulfil them.
“They are demanding permanent jobs for those who have been working for more than 10 years and want an end to privatisation of garbage clearance. They want the Corporation to be involved in overseeing of garbage clearance. However, Chief Minister wants to honour the ₹2300 crore contract awarded to the private company with people’s tax money. These are the workers who go in advance and clean the place where CM Stalin is visiting on official duty,” he said.
In an effort to divert attention from the police action, CM Stalin has announced certain schemes for the benefit of conservancy workers.
“He tried to create a perception as though these are given especially for them. If conservancy workers’ demands are fulfilled, they don’t have to depend on morning breakfast scheme and they can fulfill their needs by themselves. The worst part of the ‘drama’ that ensued is the ‘arranged’ meeting between conservancy workers and CM to ‘thank him’. We have seen such playacting since the days of Kalaignar (former CM M Karunanidhi),” he said.
