BBMP workers protest with body
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Supporters of Panchalaiah, who died in an accident between garbage trucks on Sunday night, demanded a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the family of deceased. They took his body to the BBMP head office and refused to shift till the palike authorities announced the compensation. They shouted slogans, demanding BBMP commissioner Rajneesh Goel to give a written assurance on the compensation. They wanted `20 lakh, apart from the benefits and perks that are due to the family, and a job to a family member on compassionate grounds. Earlier, when the body was taken to Bowring Hospital for autopsy, Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy announced `5 lakh compensation from the Mayor Fund.
“Drivers of BBMP garbage trucks are under tremendous pressure and their lives are at risk. They could also be target of angry villagers at the Mandur landfill,” said BBMP Lorry Drivers’ Association Director Muniyappa. A couple of days ago, two BBMP garbage truck drivers, Deepu and Narasimha, were assaulted by a few miscreants and were relieved of their mobile phones and `5,000 cash. Some anti-social elements have also been demanding money from the drivers to dump garbage at the designated landfill, he said.
BBMP Employees’ Association Secretary Babu said neither the police nor the BBMP authorities have been extending security to these drivers. The protesting villagers attack drivers for dumping garbage, he added. Mr Panchalaiah, who died in the accident, had taken his son P. Nagesh along as he feared attack by the villagers. Nagesh has suffered a fracture in the leg.
“The truck drivers are stressed out as they hardly get time to relax. Garbage collection happens throughout the day from different parts of the city. They start the day at 6 am and by the time they dump garbage, it would be 4 am the next day. At least 500 trucks queue up every day at the landfill. The trucks line up near Mandur at 11 pm and get chance to dump garbage only by 4 am. They get to sleep and relax only in the trucks,” Mr Babu said. He suggested that BMTF police personnel should be deputed along with garbage trucks for security purpose. Policemen had been stationed near the Mandur landfill for a couple of days, but were withdrawn later, he said. Garbage collection, transportation and dumping will be stopped if no protection is provided to the truck drivers, he warned.
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