There seems to be no unanimity among corporators of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) over finalising the new garbage tender as most of them are against it.
On the eve of the general body meeting on Tuesday, Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy had convened a meeting of senior corporators to take their opinions on the new garbage tender.
BJP corporators ‘indirectly’ opposed the tender, and are in favour of continuing with the existing contractors. Sources told Express that many corporators including former mayor S K Nataraj are batting for present garbage contractors, as one of them is his relative.
Speaking to reporters, mayor said they had discussed the garbage problems in the meeting attended by senior corporators and officials. “All these years, we were giving Rs 506 crore every year to garbage contractors. With the new contract, Palike will be spending Rs 315 crore and with this, Palike will be saving at least Rs 200 crore a year,” he said.
When asked about some senior corporators opposing the new tender, Murthy claimed they were not divided over the issue.
“We are bringing the issue in the Council meeting on Tuesday. It will be discussed and it is left to the Council to approve the new garbage tender,” he said.
When asked about the BMTF report on irregularities of old contractors, which had recommended blacklisting of those contractors, Mayor said they have called for tender for 87 packages and all of them will have new contractors.
“If we find any blacklisted contractor finalised in the new contract, we can remove them,” Murthy said.
When asked about garbage disposal at landfill sites, he said less quantity of garbage was being sent to Mandur landfill.
Some quantity is going to Bingipura for which the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has given its approval.
“We have also sent a few trucks of garbage to Terra Firma landfill on Monday, despite opposition from locals. We have sought the co-operation of locals,” Murthy said.