Hooda backs sanitation workers, slams Haryana govt over garbage crisis

Chandigarh: Former Haryana chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Monday extended support to striking sanitation workers and urged the BJP govt to immediately hold talks with them and resolve their demands.Responding to a notice sent by the Speaker, Hooda said the workers' demands were legitimate and the strike should be ended through dialogue."The sanitation situation across the state is in a deplorable condition. Piles of garbage have accumulated everywhere, and rains have increased the threat of dangerous diseases," Hooda said.He alleged the BJP govt was "turning a blind eye" to the crisis and said the situation was compromising public health across Haryana.Hooda claimed that during the Congress tenure, 10,000 rural and 11,000 urban sanitation workers were recruited, but alleged the present govt had neither recruited more workers nor addressed the demands of existing employees.He also targeted the govt over wheat procurement, alleging that harvested crop was lying in mandis and delays in lifting and transportation were affecting payments to farmers.