In a bid to streamline waste management, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has announced an ambitious plan to introduce 8,000 ‘Shuchi Mitras’, or citizen volunteers, who will ensure that everyone — from citizens to garbage contractors — falls in line. The projected number is said to be 60% more than the existing number of citizen volunteers.
However, existing Shuchi Mitras narrate stories of intimidation, non-cooperation and a lack of acknowledgement of their complaints. Doctors, software engineers and home makers are among those who have enrolled as Shuchi Mitras.
No real powers
In Bellandur ward, the residents’ year-long drive to enrol these ambassadors of cleanliness resulted in all of 16 nominations. “No powers have been given to Shuchi Mitras, who often have to put up with intimidation from contractors if they raise the issue of irregular or non-collection of waste,” said a resident.
Another sore point is the power vested in councillors. “To be a Shuchi Mitras, one needs an endorsement from a ward committee member. The councillor has control over the committee,” a citizen said.
They also explained that it would be futile to expect a Shuchi Mitra to cover large areas, a full ward in some cases.
Sneha Nandihal from Indiranagar, who was nominated as one without her knowledge, recalls the dumping of garbage inside her house last year. “It sounds very good. But you are given the authority to deal with a problem and get rid of the mafia, it is not going to work. They ask Shuchi Mitras to check the muster and compactor. But if the contractor refuses to co-operate or intimidates you, no BBMP official will step forward to support you,” she said.
App for empowerment
BBMP officials, however, said this time, each block will have one Shuchi Mitra. Its answer to Shuchi Mitras lacking the power to ensure smooth waste management is an app.
Sarfaraz Khan, Joint Commissioner (Waste Management), BBMP, said citizen volunteers can use the app to feed information about waste disposal, collection and segregation every day. “A dashboard will be maintained. This will be accessible even to the Commissioner. We will impose fines on citizens and contractors who are found by Shuchi Mitras to be violating civic rules,” he added.