As Chhattisgarh gears up for the announcement of municipal elections, placement employees working in urban local bodies have launched an indefinite strike, disrupting key services across the state. In Raipur, thousands of employees staged protests under the banner of the Chhattisgarh Municipal Placement Employees Federation, demanding the abolition of the contractor-based payment system and direct salary disbursement from the government.

Statewide Protests Intensify

The protests, which began on December 3 at the state level, have intensified after starting at the district level on November 19 across 17 districts. Around 20,000 placement employees, who have been working in municipal bodies for nearly two decades, are participating in the strike. They allege that despite working long hours—8 to 12 hours daily—they receive inadequate salaries, making it difficult to sustain their livelihoods.

According to Khemulal Nishad, the president of the federation, placement employees play a crucial role in implementing government schemes and administrative tasks, including the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, election duties, census surveys, and caste-based surveys. Nishad emphasized that their demands for better wages and job security have been ignored, prompting the strike.

Protests in Raipur

On Friday, the federation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the municipal commissioner, mayor, and speaker of the Raipur Municipal Corporation. Protesters gathered at the Raipur Municipal Headquarters, raising slogans and demanding action. Authorities have been pressuring employees to return to work, but they remain firm on their demands.

Impact on Municipal Services

The strike has severely affected essential services, particularly sanitation, in urban areas. Many routine operations in urban local bodies, including 14 municipal corporations, 50 municipalities, and 120 municipal councils, have come to a halt. Employees demand the elimination of the contractor-based system, which is currently used to disburse salaries, and a transition to direct payment by municipal departments. Such arrangements already exist in other departments like Water Resources, Public Health Engineering (PHE), and Public Works (PWD).

Potential Consequences

With approximately 20,000 employees participating in the strike, prolonged disruptions could have far-reaching consequences. Urban areas could face significant challenges in maintaining sanitation and other critical services. The strike underscores the growing discontent among contractual workers in government sectors and highlights the urgent need for reforms in employment practices.

As the state braces for upcoming municipal elections, resolving the placement employees’ grievances has become a pressing concern for the government to ensure the smooth functioning of civic services.