The delay in putting in place a new solid waste management system in Hubballi-Dharwad led to a prolonged debate at the monthly council meeting of the Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation here on Monday, after which Municipal Commissioner Major Siddalingayya Hiremath promised to have a new system set up by March 15 this year.
Raising the issue through a calling attention notion, the former Mayor Viranna Savadi sought to know why there had been a delay in putting in place the new system despite being authorised to do so.
Other council members also took exception to the delay and accused the officials of being lethargic, because of which, they said, they were being questioned by residents during their ward visits.
Some of the members also raised the issue of delay in appointment of civic workers (pourakarmikas) on contract basis and sought to know what had prevented the officials from going ahead with the process, at a time when the earlier contract was to expire on February 28, 2018.
Responding to their questions, Major Hiremath said that the municipal corporation had already given work order for supply of 117 auto-tippers for transportation of solid waste and there was no hurdle in getting more vehicles as per requirement.
He told the council that they were in need of 15 to 20 compactors under the solid waste management scheme and already, work orders had been issued for procuring them. “Apart from vehicles, we need various civil works to be taken up under the scheme and work orders have been issued for such works worth ₹ 20 crore. These works include setting up compost units and other units,” he said. He assured the council of putting in place the new set-up by March 15.
Development works
On Mr. Savadi’s question about delay in floating tenders for taking up works in wards under the General Fund of the municipal corporation, Major Hiremath clarified that the process was put on hold as the municipal corporation faced a funds crunch after utilising the General Fund for paying pension to retired employees. “Now, the issue has been resolved and the Directorate of Municipal Administration has issued an order for the release of ₹ 21 crore. We are expecting that it will be released shortly,” he said.
However, the council members took exception to it and urged him to begin the process immediately.
Meanwhile, the former Opposition leader Ganesh Tagargunti (Congress) assured the council of getting the funds released by taking a delegation, led by MLA Prasad Abbayya, to meet the authorities concerned.
Village development
The discussion on calling attention motion also highlighted the lack of development in villages under the municipal corporation limits and councillors demanded that funds earmarked for the purpose in the council budget be utilised. The discussion concluded with the Mayor issuing a ruling that he would convene an all-party meeting on the issue for initiating development works in villages attached to the municipal corporation.
