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BENGALURU: With two days left for bidders to participate in the citys wet waste disposal tenders, mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun has done a U-turn. She insists a single tender be floated in each ward for handling all three types of waste — wet, dry and that generated through bulk producers.
However, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials have turned down the mayors suggestion, saying its against solid waste management rules, according to which different tenders have to be floated for different types of waste.
Currently, BBMP is looking to enlist contractors to lift wet waste, designate ragpickers to dispose of dry waste and empanel vendors for handling garbage produced by bulk generators. Gangambike, however, feels theres no justification in saddling residents with the three-tier system. "A resident shouldnt have to wait for a garbage van to dispose of wet waste and then wait for another one to collect dry waste. Instead of having different tenders, we have recommended a common tender for handling all types of waste," she explained.
The mayor told TOI that the tender advisory committee had discussed the issue and members had suggested the existing tenders be scrapped to make way for the new system.
However, BBMP commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad and solid waste management special commissioner D Randeep were not present at the meeting as the model code of conduct is still in force. SWM joint commissioner Sarfaraz Khan and his team had informed the mayor that the panel cant meet due to the poll code and she could write to the commissioner if she sees a need for the change.
However, the mayor went ahead and recommended scrapping of the ongoing tender. She suggested tenders be invited for each ward and should accommodate wet, dry and bulk waste in one package. She also directed officials to adopt green colour for auto-tippers collecting wet waste, red for those picking up dry waste and yellow for bulk generators.
However, BJP leader Padamanabha Reddy, whos also a member of the tender advisory committee, said, "It is not possible to award a single tender to one bidder. I demand transparency in the process."
Manjunatha Prasad said he has received the communication from the mayors office and has asked his team to list out the consequences of junking the tenders. "I have not directed scrapping of the existing tenders. We will prepare a detailed report covering all pros and cons, which will be shared with Bengaluru development minister G Parameshwara and the urban development department. As of now, the last date to participate in the exiting tender process is May 10," he explained.
Box: New tenders will cost Palike Rs 2.000cr
Sources in BBMP said before inviting the tenders, the advisory committee had held a meeting and the mayor was happy with the arrangements. The existing tender is costing the Palike around Rs 425 crore, but if it goes with the mayors suggestion, the cost would shoot up to Rs 2,000 crore. Garbage disposal cost around Rs 1.000 crore before BBMP invited the tenders.
"We wanted to save taxpayers money and let bulk generators pay for disposal of their waste," an official said.
Another official explained: "If the present tenders are scrapped and BBMP adopts the old system, taxpapers will be the losers. Property tax collection will go towards paying garbage contractors." |
