HC tells striking sanitation workers to not obstruct others

New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the striking sanitation workers of civic agencies not to obstruct other workers from discharging their duties such as cleaning garbage, saying it imperils the lives of citizens.

The court said "safai karamcharis shall ensure that they seriously carry out the assigned duties of MCDs and no obstruction shall be caused to willing workers", and posted the matter for October 25.

The court direction came on a plea seeking direction to the East and North Delhi Municipal Corporation sanitation workers -- who went on an indefinite strike on October 11 and 16 respectively -- to resume work.

The plea also sought directions for immediate payment of salary arrears to the workers.

North civic body counsel Monika Arora said some sanitation workers were creating problems and refusing to discharge their duties and also stopping others from doing work. 

Due to this, garbage was accumulating on roads having an adverse impact on the health of the residents.