Sirsi: Through the decision to change solid waste disposal contractor was taken a year ago, replacement of the contractor has been not done yet, City Municipal Council Members Ravi Chandavar said.

Speaking at the discussion on waste disposal at the General Body Meeting, on Thursday, he said amount of monthly payment of contractor has been increased from Rs 3.80 lakh to Rs 5.75 lakh despite supply of vehicle, fuel and labour is done by the council.

BJP members insisted that the contractor Mahabaleshwar be called to meeting. Mahabaleshwar said Rs 28,000 was being paid monthly for each of the 28 civic workers. The salary amount 11,000 from next month. He further said he was ready to quit the job last year itself. However, it was him until new tender was called. City Council members called for collecting information about total number of civic workers and cost of garbage collection.

“The labour department has increased minimum wages of workers. Due to extra money being paid to civic workers, amount of solid waste disposal has increased,”Municipal Commissioner Mahendra Kumar clarified. The dry waste disposal units will be set-up to facilitate people of all 31 wards of the council.

People must throw dry waste in iron sheeted boxes. The practical implementation in two wards will be followed by other wards, Mahendra Kumar said. The meeting also discussed the use of funds released by Coastal Development Authority for construction of fish market and flower-fruit market at Devikere. Mahendra Kumar urged the council to finalise parking charges for vehicles in specific selected areas in City.

Discussions on parking charges at Shavaji Chowk, Devikere, Urdu School was postponed to next meet.