Lack of political will among the political parties and shortage of staff are the main reasons for poor waste management in the City.
There was consensus on this issue among the participants at a meeting on issues of workers and cleanliness, organised by the civic workers’ association in Tumkur.
Addressing the gathering, CITU State secretary Said Muzib said, the city with three lakh population, has only a few workers. As per the norms, the ratio of the workers and population should be 430:700 while in reality there are only 90 permanent workers and 150 workers on contract basis. In total there are only 240 workers. Obviously, this has led to poor management of waste.
Apex Court Directive
As per the Supreme Court’s direction, the corporation should not appoint the workers on contract basis in basic works;
 But the corporation has violated the norms by appointing the workers on contract basis and also in disposing solid waste management.
Speaking on the occasion, C Yatiraju of Tumkur Science Centre said, though around 60 tonne waste is disposed everyday, but this is negligible when considered the rapid growth of the City.
Ineffective system
He also opined that the contract system is not effective and the corporation should appoint the workers directly.
The civic workers and the public should press the officials to consider these issues.
K Dorairaju said all the workers employed here are poor and hence, they should be given better pay and if the corporation should be blamed for poor waste management which has not appointed enough workers.
The workers almost live like a bonded labour in the contract system due to lack of social security and they are also deceived.
United work force
The worker should organise themselves, with the support of the public to fight for the basic facilities.
Rudramurthy said that there were no staff to maintain any of 650 parks in the City.
Blame game
President of Abhivruddhi Revolution Forum Kundaranahalli Ramesh said lack of proper planning and staff are to be blamed for the dismal situation of 850 layouts in the City.
Resolution of the meeting were to put forth the demands including appointment of more civic workers; increase in the pay to Rs 4080 per month; withdrawal of contract system; equal pay for equal work; social security for the workers.
T R Revanna, Muhammad Dastagir, G K Gangadhar, Jaikumar, Raghavendra, Inaiath, Laxmikanth, N K Subrahmanya and D S Venkatesh were present on the occasion.