Udhayanidhi Questions CM Vijay in Assembly Over Protesting Sanitary Workers

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday questioned in the Assembly when Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay would meet sanitary workers who have been protesting in Chennai for nearly 15 days and address their demands. CM Vijay also holds the Municipal Administration portfolio.

Raising the issue in the House, Udhayanidhi noted that the matter had previously come up a few days ago. At that time, School Education Minister A Rajmohan had assured the Assembly that positive news would arrive soon. However, Udhayanidhi told the House that there had been no such development so far.

Udhayanidhi also pointed out that when the DMK was in power and sanitary workers were protesting last year, Vijay had met them at his office. He questioned why the Chief Minister was yet to grant them an audience during the ongoing demonstration.

Replying to the issue, Minister Rajmohan stated that there were administrative and financial difficulties in meeting the workers' demands. Despite these hurdles, he informed the House that the files for fulfilling many of their demands are ready.

Rajmohan said the government is planning to hold a meeting with all associations representing sanitary workers. Countering the Opposition's remarks, the minister also highlighted that sanitary workers had previously protested for more than 100 days during the DMK regime.

Rajmohan added that he had personally met the sanitary workers twice at his office and assured the House that the government would find an amicable solution. The protesting workers have maintained that their primary demand is to meet CM Vijay in person and place their demands, which include increasing wages and making their jobs permanent.