PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The ongoing dispute between Congress councillors and the sanitation workers’ union in the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) remained unresolved on Saturday, prompting mayor Saurabh Thapliyal to initiate dialogue with the parties concerned.
The controversy began after Congress councillor Abhishek Tiwari lodged a police complaint alleging that he was abused and manhandled by a sanitation workers’ union office-bearer. However, the union denied the allegations and accused the councillor of harassing sanitation workers, submitting a counter-complaint to the mayor and the police.
The matter escalated after CCTV footage from the office of the chief municipal health officer surfaced, purportedly showing Tiwari being surrounded by several people during a heated argument. Following the video, councillors demanded disciplinary action against the employees concerned under the service conduct rules. They also sought greater authority to monitor sanitation work in their respective wards, arguing that elected representatives are accountable to the public. The union opposed the demand, maintaining that sanitation work should remain under the supervision of MCD officials. Thapliyal had earlier ordered an inquiry into the incident and entrusted assistant municipal commissioner Rajbir Singh Chauhan with the investigation.
As part of efforts to resolve the issue, Safai Karmachari Union president Sonu Kherwal met the mayor on Saturday and presented the union’s version of the incident. Thapliyal said that the corporation functions as one family and that any differences should be resolved through dialogue, coordination and mutual respect. He appealed to all stakeholders to maintain restraint, uphold the dignity of the civic body and prioritise public interest.
The mayor said that he would also hear the councillors’ side before arriving at a decision and expressed confidence that the matter would be settled through mutual understanding. He added that necessary directions would be issued to prevent similar situations in future and ensure the smooth functioning of the Corporation without causing inconvenience to citizens.
Councillors Amita Singh, Satish Kashyap, Vishal Kumar, Ramesh Gaur and Manoj Jatav, along with Safai Karmachari Union State president Chaudhary Naresh Vaid and other union office-bearers were present during the meeting.
