Municipal Commissioner Mahabir Prasad and Additional Municipal Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar hold discussions with representatives of the Municipal Employees’ Union Haryana.
Mahabir Prasad says local-level demands have been addressed; discussions on state-level issues are underway
PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK YAMUNANAGAR
Municipal Commissioner Mahabir Prasad and Additional Municipal Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar on Tuesday held a detailed meeting with representatives of the Municipal Employees’ Union Haryana to discuss the demands of sanitation and other municipal employees as well as the proposed protest by the union. During the meeting, the municipal administration appealed to the union representatives to conduct their protest peacefully and ensure that sanitation services in the city are not disrupted.
The meeting focused on the concerns raised by employees and the need to maintain essential civic services while allowing workers to exercise their democratic right to raise their demands. Municipal officials said that the administration was taking the employees’ issues seriously and that matters falling within the corporation’s local jurisdiction had already been addressed.
Representatives of the Municipal Employees’ Union Haryana assured the corporation administration that they would hold their protest in a peaceful manner and would not obstruct sanitation work. The assurance came during discussions aimed at ensuring that any demonstration by employees does not adversely affect residents or the cleanliness and sanitation arrangements of the city.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar, Chief Sanitation Inspector Vinod Bainiwal, Chief Sanitation Inspector Govind Sharma, state general secretary of the Municipal Employees’ Union Haryana Mangeram Tigra, branch president Papla and state general secretary of the fire services wing Gulshan Bhardwaj were among those present during the meeting, along with other office-bearers of the employees’ union.
Municipal Commissioner Mahabir Prasad told the union representatives that the corporation administration had already fulfilled demands concerning employees that could be resolved at the local level. He said that issues relating to demands at the state level were currently being discussed with the government and that the administration was committed to taking up employees’ concerns through the appropriate channels.
He emphasised that the corporation was serious about resolving genuine employee grievances. According to him, wherever an issue falls within the administrative and financial jurisdiction of the municipal corporation, efforts are being made to resolve it on priority. Matters requiring decisions at the state government level, however, need to be pursued with the concerned authorities.
The Municipal Commissioner also acknowledged the right of employees to stage demonstrations and express their concerns. He said that peaceful protest is an important democratic right and employees are entitled to put forward their demands through lawful and peaceful means. At the same time, he stressed that such demonstrations should not interfere with essential municipal services.
“Employees have the democratic right to protest, but the city’s sanitation system should not be affected because of it,” the administration conveyed during the meeting.
The corporation’s appeal assumes significance as sanitation is an essential civic service directly connected with public health and the daily lives of residents. Any disruption in garbage collection, street cleaning or other sanitation-related activities can quickly affect the cleanliness of residential and commercial areas. The administration therefore urged employees to ensure that their concerns are raised without compromising essential services.
Municipal officials also underlined the importance of maintaining a balance between employees’ rights and the interests of the general public. While the administration said it respected the employees’ right to raise their demands, it also made clear that uninterrupted sanitation and basic civic services remain among the corporation’s key responsibilities.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss the situation directly and clarify their respective positions. The union representatives placed their concerns before the corporation administration, while officials explained which demands had already been addressed locally and which issues remained under consideration at the state level.
The administration said that continued dialogue could help prevent misunderstandings and facilitate the resolution of issues through appropriate institutional mechanisms. Officials also indicated that employees should use peaceful and constructive means to communicate their concerns so that negotiations and administrative discussions can continue without affecting public services.
The union representatives subsequently assured the corporation that their proposed protest would remain peaceful. They also assured the administration that sanitation work would not be obstructed and that the city’s cleanliness arrangements would not be deliberately affected during the protest.
The assurance is expected to help the corporation maintain normal sanitation operations while employees pursue their demands. The administration has reiterated that the availability of basic civic facilities to residents remains a priority and that no avoidable disruption should be caused to public services.
Municipal Commissioner Mahabir Prasad said the corporation would continue to address employee-related issues that fall within its jurisdiction. He also indicated that matters requiring intervention at the state level would continue to be pursued through the government.
The meeting thus concluded with an understanding between the municipal administration and employee representatives that the protest would be conducted peacefully while essential sanitation services would continue uninterrupted. The administration’s emphasis remained on resolving employee concerns through dialogue while protecting the interests of residents.
For the municipal corporation, maintaining a clean and hygienic city is a fundamental responsibility, while for employees, securing their legitimate demands remains an important concern. The meeting sought to establish a workable balance between these two priorities.
With the union agreeing not to interfere with sanitation operations, the corporation administration expects that residents will continue to receive essential cleanliness services even as employees exercise their right to protest.
The discussions also reflected the administration’s position that employee grievances should be addressed through dialogue and appropriate government mechanisms rather than through disruption of public services. The corporation said it would remain engaged with employee representatives on issues within its jurisdiction and continue to pursue state-level matters with the concerned authorities.
The meeting ended on a constructive note, with both sides agreeing on the need for peaceful engagement and uninterrupted civic services. The municipal administration once again appealed to employees to maintain discipline during the protest and cooperate in keeping the city clean.
The administration said that continued dialogue could help prevent misunderstandings and facilitate the resolution of issues through appropriate institutional mechanisms. Officials also indicated that employees should use peaceful and constructive means to communicate their concerns so that negotiations and administrative discussions can continue without affecting public services.
