Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg has assured to constitute a committee to look into the problems faced by the corporation workers. The Commissioner conducted a meeting with representatives of the GVMC Contract Workers Union (CITU) here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the honorary president of the GVMC Contract Workers Union (CITU) P. Venkat Reddy brought to the notice of the Commissioner several issues including employment opportunities for one family member of retired workers and workers who died prematurely in departments such as Water Supply, Veterinary, and Parks; wage enhancement for loaders; welfare measures and basic facilities for sanitation workers; safety of women sanitation workers; pending allowances; PF dues of merged workers; and supplementary salaries of workers.

Mr. Garg said that the corporation would ensure the welfare of sanitation workers and provide necessary basic facilities and salary benefits without any inconvenience.

He stated that the GVMC Contract Workers Union (CITU) should function as an integral part of GVMC and appreciated the union’s efforts towards workers’ welfare. He said that sanitation workers play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of the city bringing recognition to Visakhapatnam, and assured that the GVMC is committed to protecting the rights of such workers. He further stated that since there is no elected council at present and the GVMC is functioning under Special Officer administration, Government Orders (GOs) and official memos provided by the union would support the administration in addressing the issues. He directed officials to prepare salary bills between the 20th and 26th of every month to ensure timely payment of wages to additionally appointed workers.

The Commissioner also informed the union representatives that a committee comprising the GVMC Additional Commissioner, Chief Medical Officer, Examiner of Accounts, and Supervising Engineers of the Water Supply department would be constituted to examine every issue mentioned in the minutes submitted by the union. He said that the committee would discuss the issues with the workers and take decisions for the implementation as per Government Orders or official memos.

GVMC Additional Commissioner P. Nallanayya, Chief Medical Officer Dr. E.N.V. Naresh Kumar and others were present.