THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is an allegation running about irregularity in the contract given for the collection of food waste from city establishments. It is alleged that the contract worked on favouritism of certain CPM leaders. After detecting irregularities in the tender, the contract was cancelled just a month ago. And now, tender processes for 91 wards are currently underway.

Palayam, Chalai, Thampanoor, Fort and Vanchiyoor have the highest number of institutions within the city limits. An annual waste trade of 10-15 lakh rupees takes place in these regions. However, the quota for the collection contract in the corporation is between Rs 2-3 lakhs.

The agencies are thus diverting away the lakhs that should have reached the corporation's coffers. Six pig farms belonging to a close relative of a senior CPM leader in the city have been allotted tender quotas in major wards at a low price. Under the pressure of the governing body, the officials are also abetting the irregularity.

The circular of the municipal corporation has earlier demanded institutions generating more than 100 kg of organic waste to set up their own waste treatment unit or find other alternative systems. In most probability, this rule is likely to be subverted to favour the close relatives of the CPM leader who got the contract. The corporation rule was subjected to flats, malls, schools, colleges, IT companies, hotels, auditoriums, shopping complexes, hostels etc. The circular said that if it is not established within one month, a fine of Rs 10,000-50,000 will be imposed. The rule is that the owner of the establishment should pay Rs 5 per kg of waste to the companies.

Out of the 473 tonnes of waste generated in the city in a day, the corporation has found that 150 tonnes of waste is not disposed of properly. Even the organic waste collected by the agencies is often dumped on streets and does not reach the waste plant site.

At present, Haritha Karma Sena collects organic waste (including food waste) in addition to inorganic waste from some places. They later give all waste to pig farms and other private agencies. With the rise of many such private agencies, the water bodies in the capital city have turned into waste treatment sites.