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Scam in garbage disposal alleged

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 06:13 administrator
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Deccan Herald 21.07.2009

Scam in garbage disposal alleged

Bangalore, DH News Service:

Even as the furore over housing scam is yet to die down, the Congress on Monday alleged misappropriation of a whopping Rs 222 crore in disposal of solid waste generated in the City and demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident.

 

Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council, V S Ugrappa, making a preliminary submission on an adjournment motion sought to be moved, said Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had entered into a three-year agreement (2007-10) with 30 contractors for disposal of the garbage generated in the City.

However, when complaints started pouring over the quality of work, the then BBMP commissioner, Subramanya, constituted a task force to look into the complaints.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF), headed by N R Nadamuni, submitted a report confirming that there were indeed financial irregularities on several counts. The report concluded that 80 per cent of the work agreed under the contract was not completed, despite collecting money. Ugrappa quoted instances of irregularities like lead bills, which were submitted inflating the distance covered for garbage disposal. Even log book entries of all activities were not entered, Ugrappa alleged.

The report says that of the 252 lorries, 196 were fitted with a GPS system. However, the GPS in 108 lorries were tampered with, and hence became non-functional. The report clearly stated that nine out of eleven requirements under the contract were not fulfiled.

Between March 2007 and June 2008, a sum of Rs 101.95 crore was claimed after completing only 30 per cent of the work. All in all, a sum of Rs 74.27 crore was claimed every year, totalling to Rs 222.81 crore for three years.

BBMP officers guilty

The BMTF also implicated 33 health officers and 126 junior officials from East, West and South zones. V R Sudarshan (Cong) said that the scam exposed the nexus between officials and contractors. He alleged that officials had become emboldened due to reluctance on the part of the government to conduct BBMP polls.

The Opposition said that the government has not taken any action even after eight months of submission of the report. “The cost of affairs, whether housing or garbage, taken up by the government is always in excess of Rs 100 crore,” ridiculed, Nanaiah.

The Opposition took exception to the fact that another inquiry was ordered into the matter, without citing any reason for not accepting the BATF report submitted last December.

Chairman Veeranna Mathikatti said that he would allow a debate on the issue on Tuesday.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 06:37
 

Finance Commission focuses on better fiscal devolution

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 05:11 administrator
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The Business Line 21.07.2009

Finance Commission focuses on better fiscal devolution

States’ views sought on GST implementation.

— P.V. Sivakumar

Key role: Dr Vijay Kelkar, Chairman of the 13th Finance Commission, in Hyderabad on Monday.

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, July 20 The Chairman of 13th Finance Commission, Dr Vijay Kelkar, today said that the Commission’s focus is on ensuring continuity and covering of some fresh ground to ensure better fiscal devolution.

It is also eliciting views from States on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation as the new tax regime is all set to come into being by April 1, 2010.

The Commission is keen to help in ‘grand bargain’ between Centre and States in GST implementation, he said.

The country’s financial sector is prudently sound. Inflation is under control and balance of payments position continues to be fine. The Government has initiated monetary, fiscal and sectoral policy measures to minimise the negative impact, Dr Kelkar felt.

Speaking at a meeting with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, he said some States have increased capital spending without adequately providing for operational and maintenance expenditure.

Complimenting the State for its fiscal record and implementation of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, he expressed the need to reduce the debt to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ratio, which is currently at 31.1 per cent as against the recommendations of 28 per cent.

While Dr Kelkar expressed happiness with State’s efforts to execute Rs 65,328-crore worth projects under public-private partnership mode, he was concerned with the aggregate losses of Rs 2,770 crore in the public sector entities.

The Commission cited State Accountant General reports showing cost overruns of Rs 6,127 crore (by 2008) in irrigation projects and incomplete multi-purpose projects with significant irrigation component.

“Another major concern that could potentially jeopardise the State’s impressive fiscal achievements is subsidies both food (Rs 1,900 crore) and power (Rs 2,385 crore). Subsidies detract scarce resources and prudent control is essential,” he said.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister earlier highlighted some of the key achievements in State’s fiscal management, increased investment in irrigation sector and efforts to bring in all round development.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 05:12
 

Trial run of new garbage collection scheme begins

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 04:57 administrator
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The Hindu 21.07.2009

Trial run of new garbage collection scheme begins

Staff Reporter

The two wards selected are Shalimar Bagh and Model Town

 

Involves collection and transfer of waste for recycling or compost production

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi started its much talked about door-to-door garbage collection scheme on a trial basis in two city wards here on Monday. The two wards are Shalimar Bagh in Rohini Zone and Model Town in Civil Lines Zone.

MCD Standing Committee chairman Ram Kishan Singhal said: “We were supposed to begin the scheme in its entirety in the Rohini and Civil Lines Zone by July 20, however that will take more time. The scheme’s official inauguration would only be possible in another month or so as we are likely to face opposition from local sweepers and trash collectors.”

“Under the trial system introduced on Monday, about 10 auto tipper vehicles equipped with hooters to announce their arrival went to localities in Shalimar Bagh and Civil Lines Zone and collected garbage. This garbage will be transported to the old landfill sites initially and once the new sanitary landfill sites are ready we would be transporting the entire garbage there and processing it to ensure minimum waste pile up,” he added.

Meanwhile, the civic body’s proposal to purchase 60 lakh bins to segregate solid waste at individual houses is still pending. The MCD will spend Rs.50.4 crore on providing green and white bins of 12-litre capacity to each house-owner.

The green bin will be meant for biodegradable waste and the white for recyclable waste. The bins will be purchased after calling tenders and distributed accordingly as part of the overall scheme.

The scheme involves collection of waste after primary segregation into biodegradable and non-biodegradable, transferring these to processing plants for recycling or compost production and sending the remaining parts to sanitary landfill sites. Auto-tippers will travel from door to door collecting garbage while the local dumping grounds known was dalaos will be phased out.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 05:04
 
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