The call by the largest civic union was initially given in the western suburbs after what the MMU called a ``arbitrary transfer''of the drivers. Among the drivers who ply vehicles for collection of garbage, 60 percent comprise BMC regulars and the rest are casual labourers. Some 699 contractor vehicles will attempt to collect garbage across Mumbai.

The lifting of the Mumbai's garbage will begin to get problematic; but the BMC is confident of handling the situation even if its means incurring a minimum extra burden of Rs 10 lakh per day in employing more dumpers and casual labourers to lift garbage and utilise machinery for the same purpose.

Confirming the strike , AMC A K Jain said the MMU besides asking the conservancy department has also asked drivers of other departments to join issue. Jain maintained the drivers weremerely on a temporary deputation and the call for the strike was most unfortunate.

Jain said this deputation was done due to the shortage of driving personnel in the western suburbs while ironically the city was overloaded with them.``This is not a transfer but a temporary measure until the posts are filled. Right now we cannot make new recruitments. The shortage had resulted in garbage accumulation in the suburbs. They are basically using this to oppose night transportation. While it means making less trips for garbage pick-up, for them they loose out on overtime above their handsome salaries,''he explained.

Jain added, ``They are not supporting any of the scheme which we have introduced to increase productivity and contain our expenditure. The public will be put to inconvenience but we are not going to compromise with a union who is habituated to holding the city to ransom. At this rate, there can be no development.''

Jain said there was no justification for the strike. "Night sweeping was introducedon an experimental basis. However the regular workers have resorted to complaining merely to stall the process while casual workers are doing fine,'' he stated.

MMU's Mahabal Shetty said that drivers of vehicles belonging to the commissioner, additional and deputy commissioners, chairpersons of statutory committees, the deputy mayor, civic officials, ambulance services, garages, schools, will join the strike.``Nearly 4000 drivers, cleaners and technical staff will strike work. This is a dharna against the dictatorial rule of Ajit Kumar Jain. There are 250 posts vacant which are not being filled.

Hundred persons were interviewed to work but he refuses to recruit them on a regular basis. He prefers that they be taken on a day to day basis and paid Rs 100 per day. Regulars absorbed in service get Rs 220 per day. We reject his stand,''Shetty told Express Newsline.