Review of outsourcing of solid waste management

PUDUCHERRY: The cabinet has decided to review the contract of outsourcing the solid waste management project to Kivar Environ Private Limited  jointly with Pondicherry Urban Development Agency (PUDA) for a period of 19 years.  The decision pertains to whether the contract should be retained or cancelled. The contract, awarded during the previous Congress  regime on Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Project for the Urban Agglomeration of Puducherry under Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model in July 2010,  got engulfed in controversy after Puducherry Environment Protection Association (PEPA) moved the Madras HC against the award of the contract.  The petitioners objected to the award of contract for `87 crore to Kivar Environment, by PMSPL, while the government has sanctioned the work for `49 crore.Almost a year into the project, they are collecting and disposing the garbage, with there being no stay by the court.The government is yet to file its counter (affidavit) on the case. Now the cabinet has decided to constitute a committee and review the project and give its recommendations.