NMC to challenge garbage free rankings after scoring zero

Nagpur: As Nagpur received zero star rating in this year’s Garbage Free Cities (GFC) survey, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to write to the MoHUA through Maharashtra State’s urban development department, for verification of ratings.
The ratings were declared by the Centre recently wherein NMC failed in the parameter of “sweeping of public, commercial and residential areas”.
NMC had applied for a five-star rating in the garbage-free city section in Swachh Survekshan League 2020. A team of third-party auditor visited the city for survey. It submitted a report that showed the sweeping of public, commercial and residential areas was not up to the mark and gave city zero star rating. Although NMC got 100% weightage in segregation at source, levying user charges, complete plastic ban etc.
The scores were awarded based on the progress achieved in parameters classified as mandatory, essential and desirable. NMC scored 85% and 40% in essential and desirable categories, but was awarded zero under mandatory component.
Mayor Sandip Joshi expressed concern over the ranking in a meeting on Thursday. NMC has decided to challenge the evidence uploaded by the third-party auditor on the basis of which the ratings were given. “We will question the credibility of the auditor,” said the mayor.
Joshi said many foul markings have been found in the process. According to Joshi, NMC’s sanitary workers were doing a commendable job in sweeping of city roads, especially in public and commercial areas and the civic body disagreed with survey team finding.
“We were asked to file our complaint. So through State’s urban department we will write to MoHUA for verification of ratings. After re-evaluation, even if we receive 30% to 50% score under the mandatory category, Nagpur will definitely attain three stars,” he added.
The GFC initiative was launched by the MoHUA to enable cities to gradually evolve into a model (7-star) city, with progressive improvements in overall cleanliness. The rating is a prelude to announcement of rankings for Swachh Survekshan-2020. The final rankings are likely to be announced after the lockdown is over.