R Ashoka alleges irregularities in GBA waste tender, seeks high-level probe

Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly R Ashoka on Saturday, October 24, accused the government of favouring an ineligible company in tenders floated for waste management inGreater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits and demanded a high-level probe.

Addressing a press conference, Ashoka said one of the Rs 133-crore tenders floated by the GBA had been awarded to a private company despite the firm failing to meet the eligibility criteria. He alleged that the tender was awarded at the behest of a minister.

Ashoka claimed that the company Muniyappa Enterprises had been awarded the tender despite having a turnover of Rs 3.34 crore in 2023-24, when the stipulated minimum annual turnover was Rs 10 crore. Its turnover in preceding years was around Rs 1-2 crore, he claimed. He also said the letter of acceptance (LoA) was issued to the company despite warnings from the Finance Department.

He also alleged that for two packages, the state government had waived security deposits of Rs 6.79 crore and Rs 5.99 crore, respectively. He further claimed that a total of Rs 12.99 crore in additional security deposits had not been collected from the company.

Ashoka questioned why negotiations had not been held with other eligible bidders to bring down the tender rates. He also alleged that tenders for 21 waste transfer station packages were floated without identifying land for the facilities.

He demanded an investigation by the Lokayukta or another high-level agency, and said he would write to the Chief Minister seeking cancellation of the tender.

Ashoka also criticised the increase in waste collection charges for bulk generators. "The Congress government has implemented a 'Money from Waste' scheme instead of 'Freedom from Waste'," he said, referring to a campaign launched by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.