Bad name, poor infrastructure and financial crunch seems to have forced the waste management firm, A2Z, on backfoot, however, the firm has hit back on critics by laying the blame squarely on the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) for failing to comply with the terms and condition under the agreement incidentally projecting it to be the reason for poor waste management.
For A2Z, bad name more than bad work is the reason for its strained relations with the RMC, A2Z officials said. The firm claims that negative publicity dried up its financial sources putting a bigger question on the survival of the firm that needs around Rs 90 to Rs 95 lakh each month to carry solid waste management. “Thanks to so many negative stories on our firm financial institutions reneged on releasing loan for the month of July,” said A2Z National Head (HR & Operations) VP Pandey.
The waste management firm amid growing pressure to perform coupled with lack of funds issued a “cure notice” to the municipal body asking it to address issues core to the problem within next 30 days. “This is just a cure notice to draw attention towards the problem. We may extend the notice period if we see signs of improvement. We are more interested in working than quitting,” maintained Pandey.
Interestingly, the firm claims that key suppliers have also stopped supply of spare parts needed to keep its vehicle running. Notably, as many 15 to 18 suppliers provide spare parts for the vehicles of A2Z. “The RMC did not issue any rebuttal to the news of termination of contract which forced small suppliers to stop supply of critical parts. This hampers operation,” conceded Pandey.
There are factors beyond A2Z’s control which accentuated the problem to a large extent. The firm claims that the cost of operation has went up around 30 per cent since the agreement was made in the 2011 and it needs immediate attention to keep the city clean. “All we want is that the RMC must reconsider the cost of operation that is being reimbursed to us,” added Pandey.
Despite all complains the firm has vowed to continue its operation in Ranchi as the losses incurred in last two years leaves the firm with no other choice. “Our losses till date stands around Rs 12 crore, our plant is half ready and is likely to become operational in next six months. We are here since the city was in mess how can we leave when things are improving,” said Pandey.
Efforts made by the pioneer to get comments of RMC officials about the prevailing situation went in vain.