MC terminates Jaypee contract

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 8

Municipal Corporation House today resolved to terminate the contract with Jaypee Group, which operates the city’s only garbage processing plant at Dadu Majra, over various contentious issues.

It also resolved to blacklist the firm. A committee has been formed to decide how to take the possession of the plant from the company. The House has also decided to appoint a consultant to suggest ways with regard to the garbage-processing system according to the requirement of the city. The company, which is managing the Smart City project, will be asked to do the job.

After a long tussle with the MC, Jaypee had recently offered that it would run the plant without even charging the tipping fee. It had also agreed to run a composting plant on the same premises. However, having witnessed several issues over the past few years with the firm, including foul smell emanating from the plant, denial to take complete garbage and demanding the tipping fee, the House today finally bid it adieu.

Councillors cutting across party lines vigorously criticised the firm today. Congress councillor Devinder Singh Babla said: “Ever since this company came to Chandigarh, it has been a problem for the city. The firm has been blackmailing the civic body.”

Dadu Majra Colony councillor Farmila said: “Owing to the garbage plant, people in Dadu Majra are facing problem in breathing and suffering from skin ailments. They are at the risk of contracting cancer. The people of the area are going through hell and being their representative, I am helpless. I can only request the House that we should immediately shift the plant and should not go further with the company as it has committed a fraud on the civic body.” Councillor Rajesh Kalia, a resident of Dadu Majra Colony, rued, “About 50,000 people are facing problems due to the plant. Incidents of fire and foul smell are a routine here.” Mayor Asha Kumari Jaswal said foul smell could be felt in Sectors 17 and 21 too. Councillor Davesh Moudgil commented the plant had all demerits and it had done a fraud on people.

Councillors meet Administrator, DC

Immediately after the House meeting, Mayor Asha, along with all councillors, met VP Singh Badnore, UT Administrator. They apprised him of the decision of the House regarding termination of the MoU with JP Associates. While offering his support, Badnore directed them to meet the Deputy Commissioner (DC). Having met them, the DC convened a meeting for Friday regarding taking over the possession of the plant and asked them to bring all relevant documents of the case.

No possession before 180 days

The MoU signed with the firm has a provision that possession can be taken after 180 days of the decision. Calling the MoU a farce, councillor Arun Sood suggested taking over the possession of the plant on Thursday itself after taking the DC in confidence. However, Joint Commissioner Manoj Khatri reminded him of the legality.  

No concrete plan

Even though the MC has resolved to close the chapter with Jaypee, it would not be easy for it to take possession of the plant due to the MoU provisions and the ongoing litigation pending before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The civic body said it had identified a company which can take charge from Jaypee. It also has not finalised the plan for composting, raising questions over its wet-and-dry segregation scheme.