Govt announces 5 member panel to probe functioning of garbage lifting firms

Nagpur: The issue of irregular garbage collection in Nagpur rocked the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Thursday, with legislators accusing the private agencies responsible for the work of serious lapses. Responding to the concerns raised in the House, minister of state for urban development Madhuri Misal announced the formation of a five-member inquiry committee to probe the functioning of two door to door garbage lifting firms AG Enviro and BVG India, the companies appointed by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). She assured the House that a decision on cancelling their contracts would be taken after the committee submits its report.The issue was raised during Question Hour by Bhandara MLA Narendra Bhondekar, following which Central Nagpur BJP MLA Pravin Datke alleged that both companies have failed to lift garbage regularly and have violated several contractual norms. Datke reminded the House that in 2022 the NMC general body had unanimously passed a resolution recommending cancellation of the contracts awarded to the two companies. According to Datke, the contracts were originally given for a period of five years, but the firms have continued to operate even after the expiry of the term. He also said the civic body has been imposing penalties worth crores of rupees on the companies for lapses in service. Datke further pointed out that during the administrator's rule, a meeting was held to discuss cancellation of the contracts. The meeting was attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, then NMC commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, and all MLAs from the city. Despite this, the companies continue to operate, he said. The two firms are responsible for garbage collection in all 10 zones of Nagpur, but Datke alleged that waste is often lifted once in two days, and in some areas only twice a week, causing inconvenience to residents. He also highlighted that Nagpur, with a population of over 30 lakh, requires nearly 600 garbage collection vehicles, but only about 400 vehicles are currently deployed. Due to this shortage, garbage often remains piled up in several parts of the city, he said, adding that this is also affecting Nagpur's position in the national cleanliness rankings. Congress MLA from West Nagpur Vikas Thakre also alleged that the two companies have repeatedly violated rules while carrying out garbage collection. He said their functioning is riddled with irregularities and illegal practices and that citizens of Nagpur have grown frustrated with their services. Thakre demanded that the contracts of the "corrupt companies" be immediately cancelled and the responsibility be handed over to a new operator. During the discussion, MLA Krishna Khopde also participated. Responding to the debate, Misal reiterated that the state government would take an appropriate decision after the inquiry committee submits its report on the functioning of the two agencies.