Ludhiana: Fearful of a repeat of last year’s chaos, the city’s municipal corporation has moved its high-stakes general house meeting to a high-security auditorium to debate a controversial Rs-1,200-crore waste management plan.Officials were previously held hostage by garbage collection unions during a similar session in Dec, prompting authorities to move Monday’s vote to Guru Nanak Bhawan — a venue chosen specifically for its multiple emergency exits. The central tension lies in a new integrated solid waste management proposal. The MC aims to hire a private firm to overhaul the city’s refuse system, covering door-to-door collection, transportation, and processing for 20 lakh residents.The FinancialsThe annual cost is estimated to be between Rs 140 crore and Rs 150 crore. The 8-year contract is projected to cost between Rs 1,100 crore and Rs 1,200 crore. The plan faces fierce resistance from the city’s private garbage collectors, who fear the private firm will strip them of their livelihoods.Senior Congress councillor Sham Sunder Malhotra criticised the move, citing historical failures. “Several families are dependent on household garbage collection. What is the point in disturbing them?” he asked, adding that the cash-strapped civic body is already struggling to pay staff salaries.Questions of transparency have also surfaced. BJP councillor Manju Aggarwal noted that officials have not clarified whether the MC will foot the annual bill or if the private firm will be permitted to collect new service charges directly from the public.Election JittersThe timing of the resolution has even rattled the ruling AAP party. Sources within the party expressed concern that the unpopular decision could alienate voters just days before an upcoming election. “We raised our concerns with senior leaders, but nobody listened,” one leader said under condition of anonymity.MSID:: 128034075 413 |
