The YCP leaders who converted mines, sand and liquor as sources of income in the previous government did not leave even waste behind. If the present Chief Minister Chandrababu Babu’s slogan is to create wealth from garbage, then it was seen that YSP rulers wanted to squeeze money from garbage as well.
After receiving a complaint that Rs.200 crores were looted in a garbage scam, the coalition government ordered a vigilance inquiry. In the previous government, the works of Swachh Andhra Corporation worth Rs.570 crore were handed over to two companies that were not capable and qualified and trampled on the rules.
Allegations are rife that a former YCP MLA known as Karakatta Kamal Haasan colluded with an IAS officer (Municipal Officer) known as Jagan’s devotee and awarded the tender to a single contractor from Chilakaluripet. It seems that the public health engineer and Swachhandra higher officials are also partners behind the scenes.
The tenders were awarded against the rules even though the contracting firms had no assets and no bank solvency. There are allegations of forgery of bank solvency certificates. Those companies that have got the works have not been able to pay the security deposit or have taken up the works without making agreements in some municipalities for years.
However, in some municipalities, even after the agreement period is over, the deadline has been extended. There are allegations that many exemptions have been given to them without proper reason. These organizations could not complete the work due to lack of financial capacity. Still there are allegations that the municipal officials are showing unconditional love to them in the coalition government as well.
It seems that pressure is being put on the commissioners to continue those organizations which are not qualified and pay the bills even for the works which have not been done. Swachh Andhra Corporation is working under the Ministry of Municipal and Panchayat Raj. Between 2014-19, around 20 contractors filed tenders and did work in urban and local bodies.
However, during the YCP government, only two companies tendered and got the work in this department. Allegations are coming that the MLA, who is close to Jagan, has placed the tender with his benami. The reverse tendering was done so that only these two companies could participate.