Civic workers claim BBMP owes them Rs 5 crore

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Agroup of civic workers on Tuesday claimed that the city civic agency Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) owes Rs 5 crore to the workers who had carried out mosquito fogging services across the city nearly two years ago.

Alleging harassment from the BBMP Special Commissioner, Finance, Jayaram Raipura, the workers’ group filed a complaint at the Halasuru Gate Police Station. In the complaint, the workers stated that the official drove them out when they had gone to ask for the arrears due to them over the last two years.

President of the Civic Workers’ Federation, Mohan K, said, "We have been doing our work efficiently without any complaints from anyone. For several years, we have borne the cost of the service that comes to Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 every month. We only wanted the pending dues but our workers were manhandled and pushed out of the office premises by the marshals.” When contacted, the BBMP special commissioner refuted claims of the workers of being manhandled.

"The workers came to our office and started raising their voices despite all explanations given to them. I have not mistreated anyone," Raipura said. The special commissioner also said that previously the BBMP had called a tender for 198 wards. This time a new tender will be called for 248 wards in the coming days, he added.