Festive waste piles up as contractors halt disposal in capital

Bengaluru: The city’s garbage crisis has intensified following a standoff between civic officials and waste management contractors, with festive waste from Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami remaining uncleared across several areas. Piles of flowers, banana stems and ash gourds are reportedly rotting and emitting a foul smell.

Contractors involved in waste collection and transportation have decided to suspend disposal operations, citing delays in the release of funds and payment of bills. More garbage collection autos may stay off the roads from Monday, raising concerns about further disruption to the city’s waste management system.

Garbage has reportedly remained uncleared at K.R. Market and Avenue Road both before and after Vijayadashami. Several residential areas, including RR Nagar, Pattanagere, Nayandahalli and Kenchenahalli, have also reportedly been affected. Supervisors said garbage collection workers had failed to turn up because of problems involving the autos. Contractors have also raised concerns over the financial burden arising from revised wages and increased statutory contributions. The Labour Department revised wages with effect from May 22, and service providers are required to implement the order. However, contractors alleged that senior officials had failed to address their concerns, resulting in repeated notices from workers’ unions, the Labour Department, and the Employees’ Provident Fund and health insurance authorities.

They said the increase in wages has also raised their contributions towards the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), adding to their financial burden. The general secretary of the Bengaluru City Cleanliness and Lorry Owners’ and Contractors’ Association, SS Balasubramaniam said the diesel price considered for payments had remained unchanged since 2017-18, when it was fixed at ₹66 per litre. The current price, he said, had risen to ₹98.80 per litre, but contractors were not being compensated for the increase.

He added that despite a meeting with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner, the rate had not been revised. Officials of the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) and the GBA were also allegedly reluctant to implement the annual Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) revision announced by the Labour Department.

“Contractors have to make repeated visits for 25 to 30 days every month to get their bills cleared. We are not protesting against the government, but against the negligence of certain officials who are not directly responsible for keeping the city clean and ensuring workers receive their benefits,” Balasubramaniam said.

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