Agitated workers cut off water supply to Kotla

After DDCA got an all-clear from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on the Tuesday, paving the way for it to host the World T20 matches, the association was faced with a unique problem. The agitating employees at the Ferozeshah Kotla, who are demanding bonus and increase in provident fund money, locked up the water supply ensuring the ground was devoid of it over the past four days. The ground has lost a bit of its green cover as a result.

This comes with just a fortnight left for Kotla to host the matches. Although the officials made light of the incident and said that they’ll sort it out soon and the water supply will resume on Thursday, the agitating employees are saying they won’ t bud ge. The management had, in fact, offered them a bonus amountof ` 14,000 across the board. However, they didn’t agree.

“They are black mailing us. Have you ever heard of anyone getting ` 2,40,000 as bonus amount especially in a no-profit company like this,” said vice-president Chetan Chauhan. “We will not give in to their demands. We have already called up some retired employees and they have started work.”

Chauhan said that the top 3-4 officials are demanding bonuses in excess of ` 2 lakh whereas the rest want ` 33,600 each. Besides they want the DDCA’s contribution to the provident fund to be increased. The electronic lock system is operated only by the protesting employees and though the manufacturing company’s employee came to help, he wasn’t allowed in.