High-level committee to investigate corruption in Kanjurmarg Vikhroli Dumping Ground, committee to submit report in 60 days

 

File pics 

*Industries Minister Uday Samant makes announcement in the Assembly

*Contractor earns profit of Rs 330 crore by not implementing zero order management and is playing with the lives of Mumbaikars - BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha

*BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha draws government's attention to corruption in Kanjurmarg Vikhroli Dumping Ground through calling attention motion

Mumbai: A high-level committee will be appointed to investigate corruption in Kanjurmarg Vikhroli Dumping Ground and action will be taken against the contractor as per the findings of the report which will come in 60 days, Industries Minister Uday Samant announced in the Legislative Assembly. The government has also instructed the BMC to find alternate location for new dumping ground to replace Kanjurmarg dumping ground.

BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha drew the government's attention to corruption in Kanjurmarg Vikhroli Dumping Ground through calling attention motion. 

Raising the issue in the Legislative Assembly, MLA Mihir Kotecha said that the entire 6000 tonnes of waste of Mumbai city comes to the Kanjurmarg-Vikhroli landfill every day for processing. "The contract to process the waste at this landfill has been given to M/s Anthony Lara Enviro Solutions Private Limited for a period of 25 years from 2011 to 2036. As per the terms of the contract, the contractor is responsible for the entire waste processing, maintenance and stench control. However, in reality, for the last several years, 16 lakh residents of Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Nahur, Bhandup and Mulund areas have been suffering from a strong stench every night. Also, the condition of the vehicles used to bring garbage across Mumbai is worst," said MLA Mihir Kotecha. 

MLA Mihir Kotecha further said that that the contractor has to spend Rs 5 lakh per day to implement zero order management, but the penalty provision is only Rs 50,000. "Therefore, this contractor is saving Rs 330 crore. How will the government recover it and will the government terminate the contract? Will an audit by independent agency be ordered? What action will be taken against the BMC officials for not following the government's instructions? Will the Solid Waste Department officials be sent to Kannamwar Nagar for 15 days to understand the seriousness of these issues?" asked MLA Mihir Kotecha. 

Responding to this, Industries Minister Uday Samant said that a high-level committee will be appointed to investigate this entire matter. "It will have class I officers from each division. A third-party audit will also be conducted. This committee will submit its report within 60 days. Action will be taken against the contractor as per the findings of the committee report," said Minister Uday Samant. 

Samant further said that a show-cause notice will be issued to the BMC officials for not following the government's orders. "If satisfactory response is not received from them, action will be taken against them," added Samant.