AAP councillors lead protest against pending salaries of N corpn staff

New Delhi: Councillors from Aam Aadmi Party held a protest at Civic Centre on Monday against the non-payment of salaries, dearness allowance, pension, HRA and other benefits to employees of North Delhi Municipal Corporation. There are around 8,000 teachers, 5,000 nurses, paramedics and health workers and thousands of other staff employed under the north corporation whose salaries have been delayed for two months.
Opposition leader Vikas Goel said they raised the matter of pending salaries in a standing committee meeting last week, but the BJP-led north corporation had no answer. “They always give an excuse that Delhi government is not releasing the funds, but they never explain why they have failed to increase their revenue? And when there is no money, why are they waiving concessionaires’ revenue from advertisement and parking for Covid period?” he wondered.
“We have Dhanteras, followed by Diwali, Bhai Duj, Govardhan puja and Chhath puja. But forget about bonuses, the north corporation has no money to pay even salaries,” said Goel further.
The north corporation’s leader of house, Chhail Bihari Goswami, said if the opposition party was so concerned then they should pay the pending transfer duty rather than doing politics for votes. “We are making all efforts to arrange the employees’ salaries for September and October.”
A group of teachers and horticulture department staff also held a protest nearby.