Garbage contracts may go to RWAs

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) intends to provide reservation for them if they are interested in bagging some of the packages of the garbage disposal contract.

The BBMP, which is struggling to devise a mechanism to defeat the garbage lobby, will be floating tenders for garbage disposal in the City. The proposal will be tabled before the Council in its forthcoming general body meeting and after getting clearance, it will be sent to the Government for its approval. The Palike will then float the tenders.

The Palike’s earlier plans to float a global tender were marred by a series of litigation. After getting rid of them, the Palike is in no mood to repeat the same which gave birth to a garbage mafia.

Against the previous arrangement of Assembly constituency-based 30 packages, this time there will 60 packages, which will be overseen by the 60 assistant executive engineers. The BBMP this year, has made a provision of Rs 160 crore for the garbage disposal.

In order to break the vicious ring developed by the garbage mafia to safeguard their interests, the Palike intends to give contracts to ‘freshers’. The proposed contract will not have the condition of ‘experience’ but the clause of financial solvency will continue for the ‘freshers’.

However, the Palike plans to give some relaxation in some of its terms and conditions to the RWAs, who are successfully experimenting on scientific disposal of garbage.

“We are considering to give contracts to the RWAs which are dedicated to make Bangalore clean and green. But what we need is a representation and a strong proposal from them (RWAs) in order to give some reservation in the contract,” said P N Sadashiva, chairperson, Standing Committee on Taxation and Finance.

At least two RWAs - Malleswaram RWA and Shanthinagar RWA - have developed their units for the scientific disposal of garbage.

Their efforts has won accolades from the elected representatives and BBMP authorities.