Leader of the Opposition and senior BJP leader, R. Ashoka, criticized the Karnataka government for the ongoing garbage crisis in Bengaluru. Ashoka blamed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for the breakdown in civic administration, citing delays in salary payments to sanitation workers and FIRs against contractors.
Ashoka highlighted the failure of the government’s guarantee schemes in ensuring basic wage payments for those responsible for city cleanliness. He also pointed out issues such as garbage accumulation, lack of policy clarity, and poor coordination among civic agencies like the GBA and BSWML.
The government’s focus on creating committees instead of addressing the crisis was questioned by Ashoka. He raised concerns about delayed payments to sanitation workers, alleged contractor intimidation, and the factors contributing to the garbage crisis in Bengaluru.
Disruption in waste management led to garbage collection suspension in 50 wards due to protests by auto tipper drivers and loaders over pending wages and waste segregation rules. BSWML emphasized waste segregation at the source, leading to opposition from contractors who argue that waste generators should handle segregation.
BSWML CEO, Karee Gowda, clarified that the issue affected only specific wards, with garbage collection continuing in the rest of the city. Steps were taken to clear pending salary dues. Additionally, 35 FIRs were filed against contractors under ESMA, with the contractors’ association opposing the new rules.
