JOIN USThe BBMP Council on Tuesday approved the proposal to set up a modern abattoir under private-public participation (PPP) model on 40 acres of land at Harohalli on Kanakapura Road, amid opposition from a few corporators.
The corporators who opposed the proposal demanded that a fresh global tender be floated for the same.
Nagapura councillor S Harish maintained that the project should be implemented only after discussing its pros and cons. “The Palike has to pay Rs 19 crore as annual maintenance cost to Capri Meat House Private Limited for 15 years. Besides, Rs five crore should be paid to them in advance. The total amount to be paid by the civic agency for 15 years is Rs 285 crore, but the company will spend just Rs 150 crore for installing the facility,” he said.
He added, “Around 40 acres of land will be handed out to Capri. Moreover, we have to build the compound wall. The company does not have proper equipment. Let the Palike float a new tender and hire a good company,” he said.
BBMP commissioner M Lakshminarayana replied that the project had to be implemented at any cost as there was a clear direction from the High Court. “I had appeared before the High Court a week ago and the civic agency was slammed for delaying the setting up of the abattoir, despite court direction in 2002. We will face contempt of court if we violate its directions and the State government has already given its approval for the project.”
The commissioner maintained that because the tender for abattoir expired due to court interventions and other obstacles in the past, its validity will be extended. “No new tender will be floated. The private company will take care of equipment, electrical facilities, among others, and the land will be owned by us,” Lakshminarayana said.
Ramesh apologises
Meanwhile, Hanumanthanagar corporator K Chandrashekar said that the allegations against him about misuse of funds for developing the Deer Park (Jinke Vana) were false. “The total money spent on the park has not crossed Rs 10.6 crore and I am ready to resign if the allegations are proved.”
Yediyur councillor N R Ramesh, who had levelled allegations against Chandrashekar, claiming that the latter spent Rs 36 crore, apologised before the Council. Opposition corporators slammed Ramesh for holding a press conference in this regard recently. They also created a ruckus over the delay in renaming a road after Kannada poet Karim Khan. The mayor said the matter will be looked into.