The Union government has suspended the licence of four construction firms involved in the Namma Metro project, for violation of labour laws.

During the hearing on a public interest litigation seeking to improve the working condition of construction workers with Namma Metro, Assistant Solicitor General Kalyan Basavaraj told the High Court that the licence of GYT Coastal JV, working on Majestic site, URC Constructions at Byappanahalli site, CEC SOMA CICA JV at KSCA stadium and Larsen and Toubro on K R Road have been suspended.

“These firms  were issued notice for violating Contract  (R and A) Act, 1970 and upon receipt of the reply and physical verification, the competent authority has suspended the licence with immediate effect,” the memo stated.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Samuel Satyasheelan, seeking to improve the working condition of construction workers associated with the Namma Metro project.

The suspension will be in force till better conditions are ensured for the workers, the memo said.

Compensation

Meanwhile, in a separate case, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna directed the amicus curiae to find out whether compensation has been awarded to construction workers killed in accident at workplaces.

The court has taken up a suo motu petition over the issue. The bench also directed the counsel for Labour department to ensure that identity cards are issued to construction workers. The counsel submitted that the department has registered 2.5 lakh workers till March 31.

Biomethanisation plants

The High Court of Karnataka has favoured setting up garbage segregation units and biomethanisation plants in all wards of the City. During the hearing of a batch of petitions pertaining to garbage disposal, the court was shown the photographs of garbage segregation and biomethanisation units at Kuvempunagar in Yelahanka. Impressed by the working of the model, a Division Bench comprising Justices N Kumar and B V Nagarathna sought to know from the Palike why can’t the model be emulated across the City.

“If there are such garbage segregation and biomethanisation units in every ward, the transportation cost can be curtailed and the garbage generated can be disposed at the ward level itself,” Justice Kumar noted.

The petitioners concurred with the view of the bench and listed advantages of decentralised garbage disposal system. Palike Commissioner M Lakshminarayana informed the court that it would require at least 2,400 sq ft of land to set up a biomethanisation plant.

Former BBMP commissioner Siddaiah, who was present in the court, suggested that debris should not be treated as garbage since the Palike had already identified places where it can be dumped.