Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Garbage plant: Corporation to tie up with CED

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The City Corporation Council, which met here on Wednesday, approved a tie-up with the Centre for Environment and Development (CED), a city-based non-governmental organisation, to operate the garbage treatment plant at Vilappilsala for a period of six months. The project would function as a joint venture, with funds from the Corporation and CED providing technical assistance.

Mayor C. Jayan Babu told the council that the tie-up would ensure uninterrupted operation of the plant. He said the Corporation had appointed an engineer and a Health Inspector at the plant site. Responding to councillors, he said CED was chosen as it was a government-accredited agency.

Moving an official resolution on the issue, the Mayor said the Corporation had successfully operated the plant in association with CED for 45 days since it was taken over from Poabs Envirotech, the former operating company. He explained that the technical committee constituted by the Corporation had recommended a long-term contract based on a fee for garbage processing.

Earlier, during the debate on the proposed agreement between the Corporation and CED, former Deputy Mayor M.Sujanapriyan suggested that the Corporation operate the project on its own. He said the plant could generate good monthly revenue. Pointing out mistakes in the draft pact, he said it was carelessly prepared.

The Opposition benches were quick to pick up on the point raised by Mr. Sujanapriyan. IUML leader Beemapally Rashid said the project should not be allowed to lurch from one crisis to another. He said the Corporation should seek legal opinion before finalising the deal.

Congress leader K.Maheswaran Nair said the technical committee constituted by the Corporation had failed to assess the productivity of the plant. “What was the point in taking over the plant from Poabs Envirotech if it is to be handed over to another company?” he asked. Mr.Nair suggested that the Corporation acquire the means and expertise to run the plant on its own.

CPI(M) leader Karamana Hari, however, accused the Opposition of harbouring a hidden agenda to delay the full- fledged operation of the plant.

Deputy Mayor V. Jayaprakash assured the Council that all proper safeguards would be ensured in the functioning of the plant.

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