BBMP's clean-up marshal plan yet to take off

The BBMP's plans to appoint former servicemen as clean-up marshals to look after the waste collection and disposal at the ward level is yet to be implemented.

The Standing Committee on Public Health introduced the plan in 2016 to appoint the marshals in all 198 wards with a 'prahaari' or BBMP surveillance vehicle.

The marshals would prevent littering and open defecation/urination, and take steps to place suitable signage and earmark garbage dumping spots.

In 2017, the civic body introduced 15 marshals on a pilot basis in the Bellalli, Mittaganahalli and Bagalur quarries. The appointments were made based on the list provided by the Sainik Welfare Board.

Mujahid Pasha, chairman, Standing Committee on Public Health, BBMP, told DH: "The standing committee approved the proposal, but the BBMP council has been consistently opposing the move, citing salaries and other reasons."

"The state cabinet took this proposal suo motto and approved it. It is pending due to several procedures and is not implemented," Pasha added.

A BBMP official said: "The proposed plan is that the marshals will report to eight of the BBMP's junior commissioners acting as supervisors for the programme, who will in turn report to retired colonels appointed as the chief and deputy officers."

Each year, the marshals will get two pairs of grey-coloured shirts and trousers along with a black belt, black shoes and a black beret with 'marshal' printed on the upper arm. The proposal also estimates salaries for the marshals as Rs 25,000 per month.