Bengaluru: Garbage reforms will be left to rot

Bengaluru: Experts, general public and activists feel that Mr Subodh Yadav's transfer will adversely affect the ongoing process of streamlining garbage collection, segregation at source, disposal and welfare programme for pourakarmikas.

They want the state government to either cancel the transfer or appoint an officer of Mr. Yadav's calibre and commitment. Mr Ramakant of Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) said that in his eight-month tenure, Mr Yadav's brought in a lot of changes in solid waste management. "He started his day very early and ensured that he could understand the problem of all the 198 wards of the BBMP," he said.

"He was all set to introduce big ticket reforms, like biometric attendance, direct salary payment, mid-day meals, and garbage collection autos for pourakarmikas. These changes would have ended the monopoly of the contractor mafia," he explained.

"Mr Yadav was interactive and had stressed on collaboration among all stakeholders. Garbage contract tender conditions were made pro-people. Which was why no one was applying for the tender," he said. "Because of his initiatives, there are more than 1,000 volunteers working in the solid waste management section across the city," he said.

"There is a need to have fixed tenures for IAS officers to ensure that the initiatives they launch are implemented successfully," he said.

Ms Nalini Shekhar, a civic activist, said that when most of the IAS officers are reluctant to take the responsibility of solid waste management cell, Mr Yadav brought in many changes. "His untimely transfer is a big setback for pourakarmikas," she said.

Mr Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, said that it is unfair to transfer an officer who stressed more on collaborative measures to solve the garbage crisis in the city. "His transfer within a short span is expected to hit all reform initiatives he had begun," he said.

Former minister and BJP leader S. Suresh Kumar also echoed similar apprehensions. In his statement, Mr Kumar stated that the abrupt transfer of Mr Yadav, who was making sincere efforts to find a lasting solution to the garbage problem, is unfortunate.

"One does not know what caused this transfer. If it is intentional, it is evident that the vested interests within BBMP do not want a solution, because for them garbage problem is more profitable," he said.