Garbage from citizens’ homes is not being collected regularly, mostly because pourakarmikas are not getting their wage dues from garbage contractors.

But relief may just be around the corner for civic workers and, in turn, for Bangaloreans. The BBMP is planning to pay their salaries by crediting it directly to their bank accounts rather than route it through the contractors.

Currently, there are over 20 new garbage contractors working in 103 wards across the city. BBMP sources told Express that some contractors were misusing salaries paid by the BBMP for pourakarmikas.

“The number of pourakarmikas mentioned in the contract agreement differs from the actual number working on the field. The BBMP continues to release funds as per the agreement and on time every month. All pourakarmikas, however, do not get full salaries and whatever is paid, is also not given on time,” the source said, adding that the aggrieved civic workers often threatened to stop work and blamed the BBMP.

In a September 20 order, BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana directed zonal commissioners and chief engineers to ensure that contractors in their jurisdiction open a non-operative bank account by September 26. Lakshminarayana told Express: “Contractors should open salary accounts for all pourakarmikas working under them at a bank of their choice. We will release 60 per cent of the funds to a non-operative account before the fifth of every month. From this account, salary will be credited to their bank accounts directly. As this is a non-operative account, the contractors cannot withdraw money and thus, we can avoid misuse.”

The remaining 40 per cent, which includes fuel bills of garbage trucks and other expenses, will be released only after the contractor produces bills.

However, as with many other well-intentioned government initiatives, compliance remains a problem. A chief engineer, on condition of anonymity, said contractors were making excuses to delay the process.

Officers working in the BBMP’s Town Planning Department also have to work in the Solid Waste Management (SWM)Department, Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said.

Replying to a question on excess staff in the department at the BBMP Council on Monday, he said, “From now onwards, those who come from outside to the department have to work between 7 am to 11 am everyday at the SWM Department and should take care of garbage clearance of one ward during that time. They should also report to the chief engineers concerned everyday. After 11 am, they should work for the Town Planning Department. They have to maintain attendance register at both the departments,” he said.

This will instill fear among the officers and they wouldn’t wish to come to the department on deputation, Lakshminarayana observed. 

Mayor B S Sathyanarayana told the Standing Committee on Administrative Reforms to get the list of officials working on deputation in various departments in the civic body, especially in the Town Planning Department, within a week. “We can depute officials wherever they  are required. We don’t want officers who just use rubber stamp to sign. We want officials to work in the field too,” he said.