Nagpur Sanitation Workers Face Penalties While Management Avoids Scrutiny

thenewsdirt
Jun 19
5 min read

In Nagpur, sanitation workers employed by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) face regular disciplinary actions for issues like unapproved absences.

Over the past five years, reports have documented frequent penalties imposed on these lower-level employees, while higher authorities appear to escape scrutiny for more severe lapses, such as inadequate safety measures.

This article details specific incidents from June 2020 to June 2025, shedding light on the pattern of accountability within the NMC.

Penalties Imposed on Sanitation Workers

The NMC has conducted surprise inspections to enforce attendance, particularly before the monsoon season, resulting in numerous penalties for sanitation workers.

In June 2025, the NMC fined 92 workers ₹1,000 each and deducted half a day’s salary for absenteeism during checks in the Gandhibagh and Sadar zones.

A report noted that these inspections targeted workers responsible for drain cleaning, a critical task to prevent monsoon-related flooding. Similarly, earlier that month, 42 workers faced identical fines and a one-day salary cut for unapproved absences in the Laxminagar and Gandhibagh zones. Six supervisory staff received show-cause notices, marking a rare instance of action against mid-level personnel.

In September 2024, the NMC suspended 39 sanitation workers, including one senior health inspector, for absenteeism across multiple zones. The suspensions followed complaints about irregular attendance, which disrupted waste collection. In August 2024, two sanitation supervisors in the Lakadganj and Ashi Nagar zones were suspended for negligence.

These cases illustrate a consistent focus on disciplining lower-level staff, with fines and suspensions being the primary measures.

The NMC’s use of technology, such as facial recognition attendance systems, has intensified monitoring.

A 2022 report highlighted workers’ concerns that such systems infringe on their privacy, yet they face penalties for non-compliance.

Sanitation workers, many of whom are from marginalised communities, face additional challenges. A 2023 statement from Public Services International (PSI) noted that outsourced workers in Nagpur receive harsher treatment compared to permanent staff, with fewer rights and protections. “Contract workers are penalised for minor lapses, while permanent employees have more leniency,” a PSI representative stated, highlighting structural inequalities within the workforce.

Lack of Accountability for Management

Infographic Lack of Accountability amongst NMC Higher officials — Lack of Accountability for Management

While sanitation workers face frequent penalties, significant safety failures have not resulted in documented repercussions for NMC management.

In March 2025, 54 sanitation workers had died in Nagpur over the past few years, with families still awaiting compensation.

The report pointed to inadequate safety protocols, such as the lack of protective gear, but no disciplinary actions against officials were mentioned.

A social audit conducted in April 2025 examined 18 worker deaths across Maharashtra between 2021 and 2024, including cases in Vidarbha.

The audit criticised authorities for absent safety equipment and delayed compensation, yet no specific penalties for NMC officials were recorded.

In February 2025, a 26-year-old contract worker died in an accident at Lupin Pharma’s facility in Nagpur’s MIHAN area. The report focused on the worker’s death but did not mention any accountability measures for management or contractors overseeing the site.

These incidents underscore a pattern where safety oversights, which fall under the purview of higher authorities, go unpunished, while workers face strict discipline for lesser infractions.

The NMC’s organisational structure may contribute to this disparity. According to the City of Nagpur Corporation Act, 1948, the Municipal Commissioner, an IAS officer, heads the executive branch, with officers appointed by the state government.

Lower-level employees, however, are subject to direct oversight by zonal supervisors, who report to senior officials. This hierarchy places immediate pressure on workers to comply with attendance rules, while systemic issues like safety compliance receive less scrutiny.

Sanitation work in Vidarbha, often performed by marginalised caste groups, is undervalued, which may explain the lack of urgency in addressing safety concerns.

Systemic Factors and Worker Perspectives

The disparity in accountability reflects broader systemic issues within the NMC. The corporation’s emphasis on cleanliness, driven by public pressure and initiatives like the Swachhta Abhiyan, has led to rigorous monitoring of workers.

The NMC’s website states that “Clean Nagpur Beautiful Nagpur” is a key goal, achieved through community participation and strict oversight of sanitation staff.

However, this focus has not extended to ensuring worker safety or holding management accountable for lapses.

Workers’ unions have raised concerns about unfair treatment. In 2023, sanitation workers in Nagpur, part of a broader South Asian movement, demanded dignity and equitable treatment. “The NMC targets workers for small mistakes but ignores the lack of safety gear or training,” a union representative said.

The representative also highlighted the disparity between permanent and contract workers, with the latter facing harsher penalties and fewer benefits.

The caste-based nature of sanitation work adds another layer of complexity. Many workers in Nagpur belong to marginalised communities, making them vulnerable to exploitation and harsh discipline.

Data on disciplinary actions beyond Nagpur, within Vidarbha, is limited. The NMC’s prominence as the region’s largest municipal body means most reports focus on its activities.

However, the pattern of penalising lower-level staff while sparing management appears consistent with broader trends in municipal governance.

The lack of detailed records on internal NMC investigations makes it challenging to confirm whether senior officials faced unreported consequences, but public reports suggest a clear imbalance.

The stories of Nagpur’s sanitation workers reveal a workforce under constant scrutiny, where every absence is noted, and every lapse is penalised.

Their daily efforts to keep the city clean are vital, yet their struggles with safety and fairness remain largely overlooked. As Nagpur continues to grow, the experiences of these workers offer a window into the challenges of balancing civic goals with equitable treatment.