In the face of assurances to streamline the crippling service of solid waste management through engaging various resources, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is likely to face tough times ahead of two major festivities.
On one hand, the Municipal Corporation is juggling hard to prepare a consolidated blueprint covering each ward while on the other side, RMSW – Essel Infra – the company managing the work of door to door garbage collection has backed out from delivering the service ahead of Ramnavami and Sarhul leaving the civic guardians in a total muddle.
The reason: the company officers have claimed that they do not have adequate funds to further carry out the sanitation work at the 33 wards under its supervision. “Lack of funds and no clarity over the issue of termination is posing a major hurdle in structuring the work. Irrespective of several requisitions, the Municipal Corporation is yet to ensure that the payments are released on time and on a monthly basis,” said, an official of RMSW – Essel Infra on anonymity on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a few days back, the civic body had issued a communiqué mentioning that a special sanitation drive would be conducted from April 5 onwards at each ward. However, the situation at present is quite murky.
“Unnecessary confusion is being created. The company has given its consent to continue the service. In the wake of Ramnavami and Sarhul, the RMC in association with RMSW-Essel Infra will carry out the cleanliness drive at all wards. The Municipal Corporation has released the payments to fuel the vehicles till April 13, hence, the sanitation work will continue,” said RMC City Manager (Sanitation Cell) Sandeep Kumar.
Further, clarifying the stance of the Urban Local Body (ULB) on the payment issue, Kumar said, “All dues of the company are cleared. We are yet to receive the bill for the month of February. The additional amount incurred on the Municipal Corporation will be cut from the tipping fees of the previous month.”
The ongoing tussle had created much ripple in the past as well, resulting in bringing down the city’s sanitation status. “The Municipal Corporation at this moment is planning for the long term; therefore, a few more days will be required to maintain a continuous pace in restructuring the work of solid waste management. In accordance to our beat plan – three tasks which include road sweeping, drainage cleaning and door to door garbage collection would be carried out on priority basis at each ward,” the City Manager further added.
Besides, Kumar stated that separate roster plans are being prepared for monitoring the three basic works at the ward level for the long-run. “While the work will be carried out by RMSW-Essel Infra, the monitoring part will be done by the RMC as long as the company continues its operation here,” Kumar asserted. In addition, according to the City Manager, directives have been sent to the ward supervisors to ensure proper cleaning of all Sarna Sthals. Meanwhile, the confusion over the issue of termination letter still prevails.