George blames garbage mafia for mess

Home Minister K J George on Thursday blamed the garbage mafia for the unprecedented garbage problem in the City.

Speaking at the Pourakarmikas Day and Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations, he said the garbage mafia had been blackmailing BBMP. When the civic agency refused to yield to their tantrums, they created the mess in the City. He said the government and the BBMP should gradually get rid of contract system. He also underlined the need to recruit more pourakarmikas to reduce dependence on garbage contractors.

District incharge Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the number of poura­karmikas has reduced to merely 4,000 from 10,000 seven years ago. “The reduction happened after the number of wards were increased from 100 wards to 198 wards,” he added.