Shivakumar hits back at BJP over waste tender charges

Bengaluru, June 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Responding to the first major allegation of Rs 10,000 crore kickbacks in Bengaluru’s waste management tender after taking charge, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday hit back at senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, accusing him of acting as an “agent of the garbage mafia” and indulging in politics driven by jealousy.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar dismissed Ashoka’s allegation that the state government had received kickbacks worth Rs 10,000 crore in waste management contracts.

“Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka is speaking as an agent of the garbage mafia in Bengaluru. I had earlier discussed with him the need to control this mafia. It is surprising that he is now acting as its spokesperson,” Shivakumar said.

Referring to Ashoka’s allegations, the Chief Minister remarked, “If he wants garbage, we can load it onto a truck and send it to him. Earlier, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had also made similar remarks. There is a powerful garbage lobby in Bengaluru. Why was his government unable to finalise waste management tenders during its tenure?”

Shivakumar said previous attempts to encourage waste-to-energy projects had failed despite permissions being granted to 14–15 entities.

“Before taking this decision, I personally visited Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai to study their waste management models. Not a single earlier waste-to-energy project succeeded,” he said.

Defending the government’s waste management plans, Shivakumar said private players were expected to invest around Rs 6,000 crore in waste disposal infrastructure.

“We could not find suitable land anywhere, and therefore, it was decided to purchase land in Doddaballapur. We have also secured land left behind by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE). I have publicly appealed to anyone willing to provide land for such projects to come forward,” he said.

The Chief Minister alleged that BJP leader Aravind Limbavali had previously obstructed the transportation of waste. He added that the government had allocated Rs 800 crore following demands from legislators to address waste management challenges.

“Our objective is to generate gas and electricity from waste. Let them conduct any investigation they want. Let them submit reports wherever they wish. Even if there is a misuse of Rs 10 crore, not Rs 36,000 crore, I am ready to face any inquiry,” he asserted.

Responding to a question about BJP leaders approaching the Governor over the issue, Shivakumar alleged that the opposition was unable to accept his elevation as Chief Minister.

“They are unable to tolerate the fact that I am the Chief Minister. I know what is happening within their party and other parties as well. There may be pressures on them that are forcing them to make such statements,” he said.

Shivakumar further claimed that BJP legislators themselves had informed the government that waste management tenders had been stalled for nearly a decade due to repeated legal challenges.

“Every decision was taken to court. Ultimately, the court upheld the government’s decision. Even after the court’s approval, I constituted a committee and ordered a review. They are indulging in politics of jealousy because they cannot tolerate our transparency and style of governance,” he said.

It can be recalled that senior BJP leader and Karnataka Assembly Opposition leader R. Ashoka on Wednesday morning sought an independent and time-bound investigation into alleged irregularities in the tender process for the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) project proposed for Bengaluru.

The allegations assume significance as they constitute the BJP's first major corruption charge against the newly formed government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

The matter gained further momentum after a BJP delegation led by Ashoka met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The delegation also demanded the dismissal of the Congress-led state government, alleging large-scale financial impropriety in the project.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Ashoka alleged that the project involved a scam worth Rs 36,500 crore and claimed that kickbacks amounting to Rs 10,000 crore had been paid.

“The new (Congress) government has brought forward this proposal and awarded waste management tenders to powerful companies. Earlier, waste management work at different levels was carried out by local operators. This is a major scam involving a project worth Rs 36,500 crore. Kickbacks to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore have been taken,” the Opposition leader alleged.

Source: IANS