The Legislature Committee on Public Undertakings (CPU) has recommended that the government order an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe into the issue of a private firm, chosen by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to set up a 8-MW waste-to-energy plant at Mandur, not commencing its work even though the deadline ended in 2007.
The CPU, headed by A.B. Malakareddy, Congress MLA, has taken exception to Messrs Srinivas Gayathri Resources Recovery Limited, which was supposed to process 1,000 tonnes of garbage a day and generate 8 MW of power, not showing any progress in its work despite receiving 50 acres of government land.
Stating that the Auditor and Comptroller General of India too had pointed out lapses in this regard, the CPU report which was tabled in the Assembly on Monday, has expressed concern over the BBMP allowing the private company to borrow ₹52.75 crore from three different financial institutions by mortgaging six acres of government land.
The CPU has recommended that the government take measures to withdraw the 6 acres of land mortgaged with financial institutions. It observed that Mandur had turned into a garbage-dumping yard as the private company failed to process the garbage and use it to generate power.
Role of BBMP
Finding fault with the BBMP for its silence, the CPU said the ACB should inquire into the BBMP’s role also and submit a report in this regard within three months. It also suggested to the government to take measures to complete the waste-to-energy project at the earliest and to provide safe drinking water to residents of Mandur village whose groundwater has been polluted owing to dumping of garbage.
