Bengaluru stinks as contractors refuse to clear garbage. Here's what you need to know

6000 ton garbage piles up on major roads and markets in the City as contractors refuse to clear it Pourakarmikas threatened not to work with contractors The Pourakarmikas are demanding that BBMP must give up its new rules BJP corporators protested in front of the corporation office

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractors have not cleared garbage for the last three days with an excuse that wages were not paid to contract workers, resulting in piling up 6000-ton garbage in major roads and markets in the City, reports Kannada Prabha.

The BBMP which is trying its level best to maintain cleanliness in the City following rain havoc, the contractors' strike has come as a rude shock to it. There is a tug of war between contractors and BBMP officials, with the Paurakarmikas caught in between, each blaming the other.  The contractors are alleging that the BBMP has not released wages for Paurakarmikas for the past four months amounting to Rs 100 crore. The Pourakarmikas are demanding that the BBMP must give up its new rules and hence have stopped working in some areas.

In a major denial, the office-bearers of the Federation of Paurakarmikas have confirmed that the wages have been promptly paid by the BBMP and that the complaint that wages were not paid is a false allegation. They further alleged that contractors allegedly prevent Paurakarmikas from reporting to duty, reports Kannada Prabha. 

It is evident that there is a political twist to the entire situation as BJP corporators protested in front of the corporation office, led by BJP leader Padmanabha Reddy, who expressed fear that the city may witness more number of epidemic cases, if the garbage is left uncleared. 

Meanwhile, the contractors coming under the BBMP jurisdiction held a silent march on Monday demanding to scrap the new policy that the BBMP is ready to implement. The new policy will render hundreds of workers jobless and the number of workers will be reduced, they alleged. The current number of Paurakarmikas in each ward is 150 to 160 and by implementing the new rule, it will come down to 70-80, they allege.

Then there is also the problem of service tax of Rs 200 crore that the BBMP is expected to pay for 2004 to 2017 as the waste management has been considered as departmental work. Contractor Balasubrahmanya expressed his dissatisfaction and said discussion will be held with BBMP commissioner in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Karnataka State Municipality, Corporation and Township Paurakarmikas has alleged that the contractors are threatening the Paurakarmikas who are willing to work. General Secretary of the Federation N Anjaneyalu said on Monday, the Paurakarmikas reported to duty as usual but the contractors are threatening them and asking them to return home. Only in some areas, workers are carrying out their duty. The contractors have told the paurakarmikas that for three days they should not report to duty and even then they would be paid wages.

Mayor G Padmavathi said Urban Development Minister is holding talks with the contractors and the issue will be resolved by Tuesday.