Mission Bhagiratha workers on strike in Khammam; water to 17 mandals affected

Over 400 Mission Bhagiratha outsourcing workers in Khammam began a strike demanding clearance of wages pending for four months, disrupting water supply in 17 mandals. Despite repeated assurances, salaries remain unpaid, forcing workers to protest for their dues and survival

Khammam: Over 400 Mission Bhagiratha outsourcing workers launched a strike on Monday demanding clearance of their wages pending for the past four months. As a result, water supply in 17 mandals of the district was affected.

The workers alleged that despite several appeals, the contracting company L&T failed to pay their salaries. They recalled that when they staged a dharna on August 22, Mission Bhagiratha Chief Engineer Srinivas Rao assured them that the dues would be cleared within 15 days and paid one month’s salary.

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Later, when the workers formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) and issued a strike notice a week ago, additional Collector Srinivas Reddy held talks and promised to clear the pending wages by September 15. However, the assurance was not kept, JAC leader Yadagiri told Telangana Today.

Because of the delay, the workers said they were facing severe financial difficulties and were unable to meet household needs. Many, who work as fitters and line operators, said they could not even afford fuel for their two-wheelers to attend duties.

Yadagiri complained that workers were forced to stage dharnas two to three times a year to get their salaries and were paid only when they protested. He added that their wages had not been revised for the past seven years.

He alleged that Mission Bhagiratha Assistant Engineer, Divisional Engineer and the local tahsildar visited the dharna site at Palair and threatened that they were instructed by additional Collector Srinivas Reddy to remove workers if they continued their strike.

The workers requested officials to clear two months’ salaries by Dasara and the remaining dues by Diwali, but the officials were not willing to do so, Yadagiri said.

Another worker, Bharath, alleged that instead of resolving the issue, the officials were engaging VROs and gram panchayat staff to operate pump lines.