PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) is set to begin the recruitment process for 715 more sanitation staff after receiving formal approval by higher authorities, a move aimed at addressing long-standing manpower shortages affecting civic services across the city. Municipal commissioner Namami Bansal said this on the second day of the MCD board meeting on Thursday.
The issue was raised earlier by councillors who raised concerns over inadequate staff impacting sanitation, drainage, maintenance of public infrastructure and other essential services. Salawala councillor Bhupendra Singh Kathait sought clarity on the status of the proposal, noting that delay in hiring is putting additional pressure on existing workers and affecting service delivery on the ground.
Responding to the concerns, the municipal commissioner Namami Bansal confirmed that approval for the recruitment has been granted and coordination with relevant departments is currently underway. She said that the process will begin soon, with sanitation staff to be appointed in phases.
Councillors across wards supported the move, pointing out that the city’s expanding limits and rising population have made it increasingly difficult to manage civic services with the current workforce. They stressed that strengthening manpower is essential for improving waste management, maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the timely execution of development works. Bansal indicated that once recruitment begins, newly appointed staff will be deployed strategically on priority requirements. The focus will be on strengthening sanitation services, improving response to public complaints and supporting ongoing infrastructure projects.
Councillors question action against single-use plastic
DEHRADUN: MCD councillors raised concerns over selective enforcement against single-use plastic during the board meeting. Ajabpur councillor Sohan Singh Rautela said that small vendors are being penalised while larger companies and institutions appear to be escaping scrutiny. He questioned whether the corporation is reluctant to act against bigger violators. Vijay Park councillor Amita Singh pointed out that a liquor shop near her residence generates significant plastic waste, but no action has been taken. The municipal commissioner Namami Bansal said that the matter will be looked into and appropriate action will be taken.
Waste to be segregated at designated site
Saraswati Vihar councillor Sohan Singh Rautela stated that residents generally dispose of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste together, after which sanitation workers collect and manually segregate it before transporting it to the Kargi transfer station. He questioned why waste cannot be sent directly for segregation at one location instead of being sorted at multiple points. Assistant municipal commissioner Rajveer Singh Chauhan said that all collected waste will be taken to a designated site where proper segregation will be carried out.
