Hyderabad: GHMC waste collection privatisation triggered an Assembly protest by Swachh auto workers on Saturday. The workers opposed the proposed handover of door-to-door garbage collection to private agencies.
The protest turned tense after police stopped workers who headed towards the Assembly. The workers demanded that the government immediately abandon the proposal.
They also condemned comments made by Minister Sridhar Babu in the Legislative Council regarding the privatisation of waste collection. The workers said they did not want private agencies controlling their work.
They further urged the government not to disrupt their livelihoods. According to the workers, they had depended on the work for decades.
Carrying placards, the protesters moved towards the Assembly before police intercepted them. Following the intervention, several workers sat on the road and disrupted traffic.
GHMC waste collection privatisation faces strong worker opposition
Some protesters lay on the road during the demonstration. Others tried to enter the Assembly premises, prompting police to intensify their efforts to stop them.
Police detained several workers and shifted them to local police stations. The action increased tensions during the protest.
The workers appealed to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to intervene in the matter. “Chief Minister Revanth Reddy sir, you should recognise our problem and intervene immediately. You should do justice to us,” they said.
They also warned about the consequences of handing waste collection to private companies. “If private companies are given responsibility for waste collection, thousands of families will be left on the streets,” the workers said.
The protesters warned that they would continue their agitation until the government withdrew the privatisation decision. They staged the Assembly siege to oppose the proposed change in waste collection arrangements.