NAHAN, July 13: Balmikis including women and children sat on dharna on all routes leading to Shimla, Paonta and Chandigarh, yesterday, to protest the state government's decision to give Safai work in the district hospital on contract basis. No bus was allowed to move from the bus stand, while long route buses were stopped at Dosarka. Passengers had a tough time and were stranded at the bus stand.Chairman of the Action Committee of Balmiki Basati, Nahan, J. D. Sadhu Ram, asked the state government to cancel the contract system for safai work in the hospital and demanded that regular employees be appointed. He said that the contractor and the labour engaged in the hospital were not professionals, adding that even the hospital authorities were not satisfied with the job. He said there was every possibility of an epidemic breaking out due to unhygienic conditions in the hospital. He warned to continue the dharna and even go on strike with help from the Balmiki Sabhas of Himachal, Punjab and Haryana.
