The Times of India       22.09.2014 

Kochi's Civic body and the case of 'vanishing' garbage trucks

KOCHI: With hardly a year left for the election to Kochi corporation council, the opposition is turning the screws on the ruling front. Opposition councillors alleged irregularities in the purchase and maintenance of trucks for garbage disposal on Saturday.

The civic body had recently purchased 10 new compactor trucks, costing an estimated Rs 31 lakh each, for transporting garbage from the city to Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant. The corporation had also purchased 44 pick-up autorickshaws.

"While the local body procured these vehicles, they have not been able to explain the status of 17 covered trucks that were purchased earlier. Though, we have repeatedly asked for the details of these vehicles, the corporation has refused to provide it," said councillor M P Mahesh Kumar. When the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau raided the corporation office recently, officials failed to convincingly account for 38 of the 61 pick-up autorickshaws bought for garbage disposal.

"These incidents indicate the ruling front's apathy in addressing public issues," he added. According to councillor K J Jacob, out of the 17 covered trucks not more than three or four are operational. "The other vehicles are either damaged or abandoned. There is no clarity on the status of these vehicles," he said.

Meanwhile, the corporation maintained that the new batch of vehicles was purchased through the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Kerala State Urban Development Project (KSUDP). The vehicles will operate in 21 health circles. "In fact, the local body did not procure these the new vehicles. We got it through these projects. All most all the vehicles are here and completing the registration process now," said health committee chairperson T K Ashraf.

Regarding covered vehicles purchased earlier, he said that there was "high risk involved in maintaining these vehicles as the local body had to meet the expenses related to repair works.

The civic body has to follow the rates decided by the public works department. We prefer to hire vehicles for garbage disposal as there is need to meet the expense for maintenance," added Ashraf

The Hindu         22.09.2014  

Civic chief, Engineering official in soup over tree felling

In a significant judgment that would boost the morale of environmentalists, the High Court has ordered action against Nandikotkur Municipal Commissioner and the Deputy Executive Engineer for allowing felling of 374 babul trees from the bank of a municipal water tank.

Local Advocate Ch John Barnabas petitioned the court, alleging wilful misappropriation of timber wealth of public institution and damage to environment. Upon hearing the counsel for the petitioner and the respondents, the court ordered the Municipal Commissioner and the Deputy Executive Engineer to pay penalty of Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively.

The petitioner alleged that the municipal officials planned to widen and deepen the tank bed located 10 km away from the town by removing bushes. Also, the officials allowed felling of 374 babul trees, aged five to 30 years, under the guise of bush clearance, which were sold illegally in market.

After the issue sparked a row, the municipal officials recovered a portion of the timber and stocked those on the municipal premises, saying that the stock would be put to auction.

The court accepted the version of the petitioner that the trees were felled under the guise of bush clearance even though there was an opportunity to protect them. The municipal authorities contended that bush clearance was needed to widen the tank and increase its capacity to ensure water supply to growing population of the town. The court felt that the municipal officials should have followed the proper procedure while clearing bushes, notify if any trees required felling and taken permission from the appropriate authority for it.

The High Court imposes fine and orders actions against the officials

The officials allowed felling of 374 babul trees under the pretext of bush clearance