Valasaravakkam Conservancy Workers Allegedly Made to Clean Up After TVK Event

A controversy has erupted in Valasaravakkam after a video emerged on social media showing Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) conservancy workers allegedly being forced to clean up used banana leaves following a political gathering. The incident took place at the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s pumping station in Valasaravakkam Zone during the inauguration of Maduravoyal MLA Revanth Charan’s office.

The event was organized by TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) functionaries. According to sources, meals were served to the TVK members at the pumping station. Following the meal, the conservancy workers, who are employed by the private waste management concessionaire Urbaser Sumeet, were allegedly instructed to clean up the discarded banana leaves left behind by the attendees.

At the time of the cleanup, supervisory officials from both the GCC and Urbaser Sumeet had already departed from the premises to attend to other duties, leaving no authorities present to monitor or supervise the workers' activities.

Valasaravakkam Ward Committee Chairperson V. Rajan confirmed that neither he nor any of the local ward councillors had received invitations to the office inauguration, and consequently, they were not present at the venue when the incident occurred. Rajan condemned the action, stating that making conservancy workers perform such tasks is against official regulations. He announced that the issue would be formally raised and discussed during the upcoming GCC meetings.

Responding to the controversy, Urbaser Sumeet clarified its stance on the matter. The organization stated that while it does not regulate the private, off-duty actions of its workers, performing private catering clearance while wearing the official company uniform constitutes a direct violation of its operational policy. The video of the incident continues to circulate on social media platforms, drawing attention to the working conditions and operational regulations of civic workers in the city.