Green warriors not being paid in time

Administrative work, including release of arrears, hit by lockdown, say officials

Twenty-five grama panchayats in Ernakulam were found lagging behind in payment of monthly salary to Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) members involved in door-to-door collection of non-biodegradable waste. The delay in release of salary came to light following an assessment of the solid waste management scenario by the Department of Local Self-Governments in April. Though the civic bodies had received orders to ensure timely payment of salary to green warriors, the pandemic seems to have played spoilsport. Administrative work, including release of arrears, was affected by the lockdown, according to officials.