Visakhapatnam: Drivers of Clean AP (CLAP) vehicles have initiated an indefinite strike in the city, starting Wednesday evening, to demand that the State government address their long-standing grievances.

On Thursday, these drivers organized protests at various dumping yards and Municipal Sewage Farms (MSFs) within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) jurisdiction, insisting on a monthly salary of ₹18,500, which they claim was promised to them by the government when they joined their duties 18 months ago.

One member of the Visakhapatnam CLAP Vehicle Drivers Welfare Association participating in the protest at Arilova stated, “We were hired as CLAP vehicle drivers based on G.O No. 7, and officials pledged a salary of ₹18,500. However, we are only receiving ₹12,500, which drops to around ₹11,000 after deductions.”

The drivers have been advocating for a resolution to this issue with corporation officials and contractors for the past eight months. They alleged that despite assurances from the Mayor, Additional Commissioners, and other authorities, no action has been taken.

They also expressed concerns about job security, citing instances of drivers being terminated for taking leave or being arbitrarily transferred between zones without explanation.

Another pressing issue raised by the drivers is the irregular payment of their salaries. “Salary payments are inconsistent, sometimes arriving on the 10th of the month and other times as late as the last week. How can we make ends meet in such conditions?” one driver questioned.

There are currently 650 CLAP drivers operating within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) boundaries.

In response to the ongoing strike, GVMC authorities have arranged for private vehicles to manage garbage collection, while urging GVMC vehicle drivers to increase their efforts.

There is reportedly growing concern among authorities regarding potential sanitation problems in the city starting Friday.

A meeting between the GVMC and the CLAP vehicle drivers' association is scheduled for Thursday evening, during which a decision on the strike is expected to be reached.

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