UDHAMPUR: As all the Safai Karamcharis, both permanent and temporary, are on indefinite strike for the last 18 days, the Udhampur town has virtually turned into a garbage dump.

People visiting the market are forced to cover their nose and mouth as foul smell emanates from the garbage dumps but neither the Municipal Council not the District Administration Udhampur takes cognizance of the situation.

Meanwhile, continuing their strike for the last 18th consecutive days, members of Urban Local Body Safai Karamchari Union Udhampur today held a demonstration in front of the office of Municipal Committee Udhampur.

The protesting workers raised slogans against the Jammu and Kashmir Government for not considering their long pending demands, including regularization of all eligible sanitation workers who have completed their temporary services for more than seven years.

They were also demanding revival of the Old Pension Scheme, immediate settlement of the cases which fall under SRO- 43, creation of new posts for Safai Karamcharis in the Municipal Council/Committees and omission of contractors in allotment of work.

David, District President of the Union, said that they have resumed strike after serving notice to the authorities, which failed to act positively on their demands.

"We had suspended our agitation on the assurance given by the Chief Minister that our demands would be fulfilled soon, but even after the lapse of considerable time, there has been no action by the Government," he said.