‘Humiliated’ water board employees to strike work from Monday

of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) have decided to go on a strike from Monday for allegedly being humiliated by the government during a meeting.

The move came a day after a meeting between the Delhi Assembly’s committee on government undertakings (COGU) and senior DJB officials in which the water board officials (engineers) reportedly felt ‘humiliated. The DJB officials were also unhappy about privilege proceedings being initiated against DJB CEO Keshav Chandra.

Officials said they even heard Chandra being screamed at for not releasing funds for a project, something which they claim was not under his jurisdiction.

“DJB employees will not work on Monday until the chairman of COGU and other committee members tender an unconditional apology to the DJB CEO and its employees for their misbehaviour. We will stage a protest at the headquarters ,” a DJB official said.

Officials said Monday’s strike won’t affect water supply in Delhi. However,in case the government fails to respond swiftly, the strike might stretch ion indefinitely causing waters woes.

The committee on estimates of the Delhi Assembly is probing alleged irregularities pertaining to 14 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), which are being set up for the cleaning of Najafgarh and other supplementary drains under Phase-1 of ‘Maily Se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan 2017’. These projects were taken up following directions from the National Green Tribunal in 2015.

In its counter, the DJB said, “The chairman of the committee on estimates, MLA Dinesh Mohania, who is questioning this project is the vice chairman of DJB and a member of the board. He has been involved as member of the board in clearing this scheme and ward work for it.”

The protest has gained support from the Delhi Engineer’s Association which has DJB officials and members from agencies like MCDs, DDA, NDMC, and Flood Control as its member.