Corporators rejected new TMC’s garbage dumping project

    Not long ago, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) announced a ‘one-of-its-kind project’ to rid Thane of its garbage menace. The project was thoroughly planned in association with NGOs and rag pickers. The elected body in TMC, however, rejected the project on Saturday.
In the general body meeting held on October 15, some corporators raised doubts about the success of the project. They claimed that the TMC’s decision to “recover Rs 10 from each household was not warranted”. The corporators further said that rather than implementing the new project, TMC must use the existing infrastructure like ‘ghanta gadis’, sanitation workers, etc to clear the garbage on a daily basis.
The project was to be inaugurated by the commissioner on October 20. Identity cards have already been given to several rag pickers and 50 NGOs have been identified to work with rag pickers in different areas.
However, realising that the opposition from corporators – including those from ruling party – was very strong, Mayor Rajan Vichare allegedly told the administration to forget about the project. He instructed the administration to clean the city with the help of existing infrastructure.
The administration is not happy with Vichare’s order. “We did not present the proposal before the general body for any sanctions whatsoever. The issue came up for discussion on its own,” says Dr R T Kendre, TMC health officer. He explains that he would discuss the issue with the municipal commissioner (who was not present when the Mayor passed the order) before taking any final decision on the matter.
Another senior official said that GB’s decision to can the project was “illegal”. “The elected body does not have any right to pass or reject the project,” said the official on the condition of anonymity.

WHAT’S THE PROJECT?

Under the project, 750 rag pickers were to work under the supervision of non governmental organisations (NGOs) from the city to collect waste from households in 35 of 38 panels in Thane. The project was initiated six months ago when the TMC conducted a survey to identify rag pickers residing in the city. Officials in the TMC say the main idea behind the programme was to ensure door-to-door collection of garbage.