Rahul attacks Centre, Delhi govt over sanitation workers issue

NEW DELHI:Reaching out to striking sanitation workers in the city, Rahul Gandhi today launched a scathing attack on the Centre and Delhi Government for "failing to deliver" on their "tall promises" and accused them of passing the buck on each other.

Joining a dharna by workers who are on strike since June 2 over non-payment of salaries, the Congress Vice President assured them that they were now his "responsibility".

"You go to the Delhi Government, it says Centre is responsible. You go to the Centre, it says Delhi Government is responsible.

"These are all excuses and you will not get anything till you show your strength. And I want to make it clear that I will take your responsibility.

"By sitting with you, I am also adding my little strength to it. I have time. You tell me and I will stay here for one, two or even 10 hours. This step you have taken is in the right direction. You will not get anything by asking. You have to organise and show your strength," he said addressing the protesters.

He interacted with the striking 'safai karamcharis' of East Delhi Municipal Corporation at Patparganj, where its office is located, and told them to show strength and unity so that their issues are addressed.

Promising to sit with them for as many days as they want, Rahul said, "If you show your strength, then your work will be done in five minutes."

Noting that the Delhi and Union governments pass the buck onto each other when sanitation workers approach them, the Congress Vice President said that such "excuses" are not going to benefit the workers.

"Your are going to get nothing from the governments, be it the Centre or Delhi," he said.

As the striking sanitation workers cheered, Rahul described the safai workers as soldiers and assured them that he will come to sit with them for even 15 days whenever they call.

Dressed in blue denims and white kurta, Rahul sat on the ground among the sanitation workers and listened to their grievances.

Both North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) are cash-strapped, unable to pay salaries of many employees. A section of the striking sanitation workers have lately been protesting against the AAP dispensation after the corporations held Kejriwal government "responsible" for their financial woes.

Kejriwal had announced that his government will release pending salaries of sanitation workers, doctors and teachers of two municipal corporations for April and May.

Even as Rahul mounted an attack on the Centre and Delhi Government, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung announced that Rs 493 crore would be released to the civic bodies today itself to cover the dues of sanitation workers.