HYDERABAD: The stink in the city is likely to get worse as the talks between the State government and the municipal unions broke down on Wednesday.
As piled garbage littered the streets, even the sewerage work has been hit as HMWS&SB workers are also on strike, despite coming under Essential Services Maintainance Act (ESMA).
Sweeping of roads, lifting and transportation of garbage has been affected across the city as 25,000 contract workers of sanitation,and transport struck work.
In areas around Charminar and other parts of the old city, the situation has taken a turn for the worse as Ramzan shoppers have to deal with the stench of disposables used for haleem and other food items. Nearly, 4,000 metric tonnes (MTs) of garbage is generated in Greater Hyderabad limits.
The State government represented by Home Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy, Finance Minister Etela Rajender and Municipal officials held talks with representatives of various municipal unions at Secretariat on Wednesday.
Narasimha Reddy asked the unions to call off their strike as the Chief Minister is keen on solving their demands. But the municipal workers said that they will continue the strike till their demands are met; including regularisation of services of contract workers, increase in salaries of contract workers from Rs 14,170 to Rs 17,400 per month and others.
At the same time, the striking HMWS&SB staff are demanding implementation of PRC recommendations.
If the State government wants, it can crack down on HMWS&SB as it comes under the Essential Services Maintainance Act (ESMA).
GHMC special officer, Somesh Kumar appealed to unions to resume work in the light of Ramzan, Bonalu festivals and also rainy season.
He directed all deputy commissioners and zonal commissioners to make arrangements for lifting of garbage in their jurisdiction. He held a teleconference with officials in the morning and directed them to deploy Swachh teams with four labourers and a vehicle from morning to night to take up the sanitation work.
He also directed them to personally monitor the sanitation work and warned of action against workers who obstruct the work.