Dhar, Madhya Pradesh: Frustrated over months of unpaid salaries, sanitation workers in Dharampuri took a dramatic step on Monday, locking the main gates of the Municipal Council office. For the past 8–9 months, their hard-earned wages have been pending, leaving them unable to meet daily expenses, pay school fees, or repay debts.
Monthly Salary Funds Not Fully Reaching Workers
According to official records, the government allocates INR 24 lakh per month for sanitation workers’ salaries in Dharampuri. However, employees report receiving only 9–10 lakh rupees, raising serious questions about the unaccounted funds. This persistent delay has left workers deeply distressed.
Families Suffering
Sanitation workers revealed that due to the wage delays, they are unable to pay their children’s school fees and are facing mounting pressure from creditors. In some cases, court-issued warrants for bounced checks had to be addressed through bail. Despite repeated complaints to senior officials, no action had been taken, leaving the workers with no recourse but to protest.
Protest and Police Intervention
On Monday afternoon, a group of angry sanitation workers locked the main gate of the Dharampuri Municipal Council and staged a sit-in, demanding immediate payment of their pending wages. The police intervened promptly and managed to reopen the office gates, diffusing the immediate standoff.
CMO Cites Financial Constraints
Municipal Chief Officer Balram Bhure explained that irregular budget allocations from the government have hampered timely salary payments. Additionally, revenue collected locally is often offset by outstanding electricity bills owed to the state power department, further straining finances. He assured workers that once the government releases the pending funds, the overdue salaries would be cleared immediately.
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