Bhubaneswar, March 13: Despite receiving assurances from Mayor Sulochana Das regarding a pay raise on Tuesday, sanitation workers continued their protest for the third consecutive day on Wednesday morning.

However, following a meeting between the Mayor and the sanitation workers' association, where their demands were addressed, the protest was called off.

Sources reveal that Mayor Sulochana Das convened a meeting at her residence after the sanitation workers remained absent from work on Wednesday morning. Subsequent discussions between the parties led to a positive outcome, prompting the sanitation workers' group to end their protest.

Nevertheless, the sanitation workers' association has issued a warning, stating that they will resume their agitation if the government fails to meet their demands within two days.

Responding to queries regarding the delay in returning to work despite assurances from the state government the previous day, Mayor Das explained, "The protesting sanitation workers were apprehensive that if the code of conduct were declared, the state government might delay their pay hike. However, they are now reassured that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will deliver positive news soon. With this assurance, they have resumed work today."

The sanitation workers had been demonstrating at Rajmahal Square for the past three days, demanding a salary increase to Rs 15,000 and the appointment of dedicated personnel for waste segregation. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has requested 15 days to deliberate on the issue of waste segregation.

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