GP chief in manual scavenging controversy

A case of manual scavenging has been reported from Tavarakatte under the Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat limits on Tuesday.

Even though manual scavenging is banned, Chamundi Hill GP president Geetha made Ganesh, a civic worker, get into a manhole near her house to clean it. Ganesh, working on contract basis, was threatened by Geetha that he would be dismissed if he failed to clean the manhole. It is said Ganesh and another civic worker Cheluvaraj cleaned the manhole from 9.30 am to 12 noon. While Ganesh got into the manhole, Cheluvaraj assisted him. A passerby video-recorded the act.

“The PDO is on leave for three days now as he met with an accident. I will recommend to the government to dismiss the president, if the victim gives a complaint against her,” ZP CEO P Shivashankar told DH.