KCR hikes sanitary workers wages

Hyderabad, July 17: The Telangana government at last responded favourably to the 11-day strike of municipal contract and outsourcing workers. The Chief Minister Office released a statement on Thursday evening, increasing the salaries by 47.05%, as per the promise given to the workers. With this decision, about 24,000 workers would be benefited. The salary of sanitation workers will increase to Rs 12,500 from Rs 8,500 and that of drivers will rise to Rs 15,000 from Rs 10,200. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said in the statement that the hike in wages will apply only to those workers who withdraw from the strike and joined duties immediately. The hike will apply from this month only. KCR directed GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar to remove workers who failed to join duties. He also directed to remove workers who resorted to violence during the strike. The CM said that he came to know that a few persons in the name of leadership were collecting Rs 1,000 from each worker and employee. He advised the workers not to pay even a single rupee to such leaders and warned of criminal action against those leaders who were collecting money.