Garbage scam: NMC slaps Rs 25L fine on operator on Thakre’s expose

Nagpur: Following the expose by West Nagpur MLA Vikas Thakre, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has accepted that one of two garbage private operators — AG Enviro Infra Projects Private Ltd — had mixed mud with garbage and committed an irregularity. The civic body has levied a fine of around Rs25 lakh on the operator and also decided to issue a show cause notice asking why it’s contract should not be terminated for the irregularity.
Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Tuesday reportedly approved fine of 10% of total payable amount to the operator for the month of June. The amount comes to around Rs25 lakh.
Deputy municipal commissioner (solid waste management) Dr Pradeep Dasarwar told TOI, “Additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi conducted an inquiry into the case. He endorsed it as an irregularity of the operator. Therefore, fine has been levied as per conditions in the agreement.”
Thakre, also president of City Congress Committee, along with corporator Sanjay Mahakalkar and former corporator Prashant Dhawad had inspected garbage trucks right inside NMC’s Bhandewadi dumping yard on June 28. They found 60% mud mixed with 40% garbage in four trucks of AG Enviro.
When they questioned the drivers, it came to fore they unload the garbage on the road after the weigh bridge and before the dumping site. They also took statements of drivers on video, in which the latter accepted mixture of mud and stones with garbage. Later, they also visited the place where mud was being mixed with garbage and captured that too on video.
Later, on June 29, TOI had reported NMC was clearing weight of 6-6.5 metric tonne (MT) garbage in a truck despite its capacity being only 3-4 MT. Also, it was highlighted that NMC was allowing these trucks inside dumping yard for unloading despite knowing the excess weight at the weigh bridge at the entrance.
AG Enviro is operator for zone 1-5 and BVG India for zone 6-10.
Thakre said, “NMC is trying to protect operator by just levying a fine. The irregularities are being done by two operators right from their appointment on November 16, 2019. Fine should have been levied on both operators from date of appointment. Also, NMC should have lodged complaint with police as now it itself has accepted the scam. NMC should terminate their contracts immediately.”
NMC is yet to take any action on BVG India despite Shiv Sena leader Nitin Tiwari levelling similar allegations on this operator on May 24.
IAN
* NMC appointed two operators — AG Enviro and BVG India — in November 2019 for household garbage collection and transportation to Bhandewadi dumping yard
* NMC weighs garbage in trucks at weigh bridge at entrance of dumping yard
* Two operators being paid around Rs5-6 crore per month
* West Nagpur MLA Vikas Thakre on June 28 unloaded four trucks of garbage brought by AG Enviro and found 60% mud in load
* Drivers admitted mixing mud
* Thakre demanded FIR against both operators, recovery of loss and termination of contracts
* Two notices issued to AG Enviro
* NMC fine co 10% of payable amount of June, to issue show cause for termination
* Thakre demands FIR, recovery of loss since November last year and termination of contract