AB Sharma
Early Times Report
REASI, Mar 7: For the past two years, Babu Din, a father of eight daughters, who has been working as Safai Wala at the Shulabh Shochalay at Sulla Park Garden here has been denied salary by the concerned department for the past two years.
Officials said Babu Din was appointed by government to be caretaker of the public washroom constructed by the Rural Development Department.
The washroom enroute the revered Shiv Khori shrine holds importance as hundreds of devotees visit the facility every day. "Keeping it neat and clean was the priority, so this was why this man (Babu) was hired," said an official.
Babu, who lives some 20 kilometers away from the washroom, has been regularly making it to his duty despite being a diabetic heart-patient.
"I have been giving my sweat and blood for this work as I have feed a large family but for the two years I haven't been paid even a penny despite working so hard," Babu told Early Times.
The area locals appreciated Babu for being one of the most dedicated persons who keeps the public washroom neat and clean. "We have never seen an efficient and dedicated government employee like him and we wonder why he is being denied his genuine wages. This is injustice," the locals said.
When contacted the concerned Block Development Officer declined to comment on the issue and dropped the phone.
Meanwhile the poor man had appealed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, and Tourism Minister Tasaduq Mufti to come to his rescue. "My family is at the verge of death due to starvation, kindly help me out," Babu said. |
