MCD sanitation workers withdraw work boycott, protest to continue in Panditwadi

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

The Municipal Corporation Dehradun (MCD) on Saturday confirmed that sanitation workers have withdrawn their citywide work boycott after discussions with municipal officials. However, the protest will continue in Panditwadi ward till the ongoing dispute is fully resolved.

The boycott was announced after a dispute on Friday between a councillor and a sanitation worker in the ward. In response, sanitation workers suspended cleaning operations across all wards and submitted a memorandum seeking government intervention and appropriate action.

Workers union representatives met the mayor Saurabh Thapliyal and municipal commissioner Namami Bansal to press for action in the matter. Bansal informed the delegation that a letter had been sent to the State government regarding the incident. She also proposed the formulation of a code of conduct for both municipal employees and councillors to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure that public services are not disrupted.

Following the discussions, the union decided to withdraw the boycott, citing the upcoming Holi festival and the forthcoming Assembly session along with the need to maintain proper sanitation arrangements in the city.

However, sanitation work will remain suspended at Panditwadi till the dispute between the councillor and the workers is resolved. Cleaning operations in all other wards have resumed as usual. Officials assured residents that necessary steps are being taken to maintain cleanliness and ensure uninterrupted civic services across the city.