Sanitation workers protest outside Chennai’s Ripon Building against the privatisation of garbage collection in Zones V and VI.
The Madras High Court has ordered the Tamil Nadu government to remove sanitation workers protesting outside the Greater Chennai Corporation headquarters for 13 days. The workers oppose the civic body’s plan to privatise garbage collection in Zones V and VI.
The court stressed that occupying public footpaths without permission is illegal. However, it allowed the protesters to continue at designated venues with prior approval.
The order came during a hearing on a public interest litigation petition filed by D Thenmozhi. The petitioner sought enforcement of police notices served on the workers to vacate the protest site. She argued that the sit-in caused traffic disruptions and blocked pedestrian movement.
The Tamil Nadu government and the Greater Chennai Corporation defended their decision to privatize the conservancy operations in two zones. They asserted that it would strengthen waste management, boost efficiency, and solve the labour shortage.
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Officials pointed out that privatisation had been successful in other zones. They added that they had issued repeated instructions to the workers to disperse and join talks, but the protesters ignored them.
The workers’ counsel argued that the protest was within their rights and did not inconvenience the public. They noted that the minister concerned had promised a resolution within a couple of days.
Despite the government’s assurances, the workers continued their sit-in without seeking the mandatory permission from authorities.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan, ordered the removal of the protesters from the Ripon Building premises.
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The court also directed police to act with restraint. It clarified that the workers could continue their agitation at authorised protest sites after getting due permission.
The case highlights the greater conflict between municipal employees' job security and urban changes. Privatization promises better waste management, but there are concerns about job losses, reduced worker benefits, and weakened protections for the public sector.
The court’s decision illustrates how the judiciary must balance the rights of citizens with civic progress. The outcome of this lawsuit could have an impact on how Indian cities react to the shift to outsourced civic services.
