The standing committee on July 7 passed a proposal to remove debris in the city but by ignoring the contract workers the work has come to a virtual standstill with the result that citizens will be put to more inconviniene. The bench comprising of Justice B N Srikrishan and M B Godeshwar is presenting hearing an appeal filed by the Kachra Vahatuk Sangh headed by Milind Ranade, filed in 1997.

The court had asked the BMC why the 2500 contract workers employed for debris removal for the last 18 years cannot be made permanent. But till date, the BMC has not replied. Instead, on July 7, the administration brought a proposal before the standing committee for finalising the tenders.

However, the next day, when the appeal filed by the sangh came up for hearing, it was pointed outto the judge that the BMC instead of absorbing the contract workers had finalised the tenders. However, the counsel for the BMC asked the court for some more time to reply.

The period of the previous contract for debris removal ended in May 11, but the administration gave it two extensions of six months each. However, the High Court on June 25 had directed the BMC that the contract should end on the midnight of June 25 and while awarding new contracts, it should be stated in the tender condition that the new contractors should hire the contract workers. In case, contractors are not available, the BMC should carry out the debris removal departmentally but still hire the contract workers.

Last year, in April the High Court had directed the BMC to hire the contract workers. But the BMC went in appeal in the Supreme Court. The appeal was quashed on July 29 last year. But instead of going by the Supreme Court, the BMC went ahead and finalised the tenders without considering the contract workers.

The SupremeCourt last year had directed that the BMC should hire the services of the contract workers in removing the debris. In case, they hired private contractors for the job, the contractor should hire these contract workers as labourers. But it was never implemented. The contract for debris removal ended in May last year but the old contractors were given two extensions of six months each and the six month period expired on May 11 this year.

However, after that the BMC had not brought any proposal regarding debris removal till last week when the contract was awarded. Surprisingly, the tender amount this time for the next three years is one-third of the previous contract. The previous contract was for Rs 64.75 lakh while the one passed for the next three years is Rs 16.44 lakh. This time there are 24 contractors compared 49 in the previous contract.