Privatisation ok but protect pay: court tells GCC

THE Madras High Court on Wednesday refused to stall the privatisation of solid waste management work in Zones 5 and 6 — Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar — of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), stating it is a policy decision of the state.

- R SIVAKUMAR @ Chennai

This comes nearly a week after police action ended the sanitation workers' 13-day-long stir against the move.

The court, however, directed the GCC to negotiate with the private firm that was awarded the contract to ensure the workers are paid the same salary they were drawing until now.

Privatisation of sanitation work is a policy decision taken in the interest of improving sanitary conditions and waste management, said Justice K Surender while disposing of the petitions filed by advocate K Bharathi, president of the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam.