Aafrin Kidwai 
The Kerala government’s decision to re-tender its waste-to-energy plants in eight districts, including Ernakulam, has kicked up a row. The decision to entrust the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) with the re-tendering work too has not gone down well with the opposition.
KPCC secretary and former Kochi Mayor, Tony Chammany said the local bodies will incur additional expenses for solid waste treatment when the eligibility criteria of the tender allotment is modified while re-tendering.
“By restructuring the clauses in the former tender notification, the agencies/companies which will be awarded the contract will make huge profits while local bodies will have to shell out almost double their current spending for waste treatment. It is learnt the final modifications are being made in the actual tender as per the request of the companies taking part in the bidding process,” Chammany said. He said, according to the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016), it is the legal responsibility of the respective local bodies to manage waste treatment.
“The government appointing KSIDC, as the implementing agency of the solid waste management project is sheer violation of the Centre’s rule,” the former Mayor said, reports The New Indian Express.
Picture Credit: Ecoprog
