JEHANABAD: Ghosi Nagar Panchayat has been grappling with a severe garbage crisis for the past six days as sanitation workers have gone on strike, bringing all cleaning operations to a halt. Piles of waste have accumulated in various areas and markets, creating unsanitary conditions.

The striking sanitation workers claim they have not received their salaries for several months, leading to financial hardship and making it impossible for them to continue working. They state that the lack of wages has left their families struggling.

Sanitation Officer Simran Kumari, however, alleged that some individuals are misleading the workers. She mentioned that efforts were made to persuade the workers to return to duty, promising that their outstanding dues would be cleared by August 15. An agreement was also reached to provide an immediate special advance payment. Kumari further stated that instructions have been issued to remove accumulated garbage from key market areas using loader machines.

The cessation of garbage collection has resulted in widespread filth, exacerbating the situation during rainfall. Residents of Ghosi market complain that despite paying hoarding taxes, they are not receiving adequate sanitation services. They criticize the recurring strikes by sanitation workers every couple of months due to what they describe as lax management, leaving the general public to bear the brunt of the issue.