Around 700 sanitation workers, who were on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu, were sacked by the Greater Chennai Corporation, without any notice period, on Tuesday. This triggered protests by the staff, who raised slogans and demanded justice. With the move coming just ahead of Pongal, the Tamil Nadu government drew flak from various quarters.
Incidentally, the move comes a few months after the Chennai Corporation handed over the solid waste management in various zones to private players. The solid waste management at zones such as Adyar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam, Alandur, Valasaravakkam, Sholinganallur, and Perungudi will be handled by private companies.