MC resolves to part ways with Jaypee

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 31

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, at its monthly House meeting held here today, resolved to part ways with the Jaypee group in connection with the garbage processing plant at Dadu Majra.

The decision was taken after the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, yesterday asked the MC and the Jaypee group to settle their dispute as early as possible.

The MC will submit its report in this connection to the NGT on September 13.

The House today empowered a nine-member committee, including Mayor Arun Sood, MC Commissioner B Purushartha, councillors Subhash Chawla, Sat Parkash Aggarwal and Surinder Bahga and MC officials, to finalise the method of terminating the agreement with the Jaypee group.

Among the options are to pay "salvage value" of Rs 30 crore to the company and bring a successor company on the recommendation of the Jaypee group, to start a new project such as "waste to energy" and termination of the contract with the Jaypee group on certain terms and conditions. As per the original MoU signed between the MC and Jaypee, the civic body cannot impose a penalty on the company. This point was disclosed by Mayor Arun Sood at the House meeting today.

The Mayor said they were doing their best to find an amicable solution.

The Congress agreed to the termination of the contract, but gave a dissenting note on giving salvage money of Rs 30 crore to the company.

Earlier, the Jaypee group had shut the plant on July 11. Later, the MC moved the Shimla Bench of the NGT. The tribunal then directed the Jaypee group to resume work at the plant by July 27. In November last year, the MC House had rejected an agenda for providing tipping charges to the Jaypee group for processing garbage.

Daily solid waste generation: 550 to 600 tonnes

The solid waste generation in the city has increased from 380 tonnes to 550-600 tonnes every day. MC Commissioner B Purushartha informed the House that 550 to 600 tonnes of garbage was being sent to the garbage processing plant daily.

Presentation on converting plastic waste into fuel

A private company gave a presentation in the House on setting up a plant on two acres at the dumping ground which will convert plastic waste into fuel. The cost of setting up the plant will be Rs 20 crore. The House gave in-principle approval to the idea, but demanded a detailed discussion on it.