Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the MCD Ankush Narang, on Monday visited the family of Sandeep, a sanitation worker who died of a heart attack while on duty in Karam Pura’s Ward 89, and expressed solidarity with them. Calling the death deeply distressing, he demanded that the BJP government provide ₹1 crore in compensation to the bereaved family and ensure a permanent job for one of its members.
In this regard, on Tuesday MCD LoP Ankush Narang met the Deputy Commissioner along with members of the Delhi Municipal Corporation’s entire Core Committee and submitted a memorandum. “The AAP strongly demands that ₹1 crore compensation and a permanent job for one family member be provided to the family of the deceased employee at the earliest,” he stated.
Ankush Narang said that in Ward 89, Karam Pura, under the Karol Bagh Zone of Delhi, sanitation worker Sandeep died of a heart attack while on duty on Monday. “The incident is extremely tragic and concerning. Why was an employee, who was performing his duty with full dedication, treated in such a manner? Is there no value for the dignity and mental health of employees?,” he questioned.
“The AAP demands that a fair and time-bound investigation be conducted into the entire matter. Strict action should be taken against any officials found guilty,” he said, adding that sanitation workers are the backbone of our city and protecting their dignity, safety and rights is the responsibility of all of us. He paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Sandeep and prayed that God grant strength to his family during this difficult time.
Ankush Narang further said that Sandeep, a sanitation worker in Ward 89 of the Karol Bagh Zone, had been made permanent just two months ago. “Despite being regularised, he had not yet received his new posting or revised salary. On Monday evening (2 March), he tragically died of a heart attack while on duty,” he noted.
Ankush Narang said that it is being stated that an atmosphere of fear has developed within the Karol Bagh Zone due to Deputy Commissioner Dilkhush Meena, because of which people feel helpless while working.
The AAP LoP in the MCD said he met Sandeep’s family members. In addition, he met Delhi’s sanitation core committee and labour union. Thereafter, DC Dilkhush Meena was called to Chairman Puneet Rai’s office, where a meeting was held with the union and its core committee. During the meeting, discussions were held on resolving the issues arising within the Karol Bagh Zone.
Ankush Narang demanded ₹1 crore from the Delhi government for Sandeep’s family. He said that the ₹45 lakh compensation payable in cases of death during duty should be provided to the family with immediate effect, and that ₹2 lakh from this amount should be given today itself.
He further demanded that one family member be given a permanent job so that they can sustain themselves. He said Sandeep is survived by two young children, and the MCD should make proper arrangements for their future education and added that DC Dilkhush Meena has been briefed on this matter.
During the meeting, employees also raised their issues so that better sanitation services can be provided to residents across all 13 wards under the Karol Bagh Zone. These matters were discussed, and the meeting concluded with a prayer for peace for Sandeep’s departed soul. On this occasion, Karol Bagh Zone President Puneet Rai and former Zone President and local councilor Rakesh Joshi were also present.
