Explained: Why Is Garbage Piling Up On The Streets Of Delhi?

Thousands of employees of the three municipal corporations of Delhi have been on strike since January 28 over late payment of salaries, affecting everything from primary education to sanitation services.

Workers from sanitation, health, engineering and education departments protested against not being paid their salaries by the North and East Delhi corporations. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has not been affected by the financial crisis seen in the other two civic bodies, but some of its workers did join the protest in solidarity.

The strike hit garbage removal, OPD services in hospitals, teaching in schools and even the headquarters of the civic bodies, though officials termed the impact of the strike “partial”. Some employee unions launched an indefinite strike, while others planned a three-day agitation.

The strike has also gained political overtones with BJP and AAP trading charges over the continued strike as the municipal corporations are controlled by BJP while an AAP government is in place at the state level.