GCC cancels tender to outsource conservancy operations in Tondiarpet, Anna Nagar

On the heels of protests against outsourcing of conservancy operations in the city, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has cancelled the tender inviting private companies for garbage clearance in Tondiarpet and Anna Nagar zones.

The tender was cancelled citing “administrative reasons/issues” and was done so as the GCC was preparing to scrutinise technical bids received from four companies. The tender was for cleaning and transportation of solid waste, including the street sweeping of waste, which covers horticultural waste, with collection and storage of domestic hazardous waste, in the aforementioned zones.

The bids were received from the four companies on November 28. After the cancellation, the GCC announced that a revised tender, focusing on improving services in Tondiarpet and Anna Nagar zones, and cleaning in low-income neighbourhoods, parks, playgrounds, and crematoriums, would be floated.

Currently, 868 permanent workers and 1,147 self-help group (SHG) workers are involved in conservancy operations in Tondiarpet zone, while 1,494 permanent workers and 342 SHG workers are engaged in Anna Nagar zone.

According to GCC officials, the revised tender is expected to include aspects that meet the aspirations of residents who demanded better services. Officials claimed that they would also study the feasibility of increasing wages for the workers. Representatives of conservancy workers said they had opposed the move to revise the tender to facilitate the outsourcing of conservancy operations in these two zones.

“The protests against the outsourcing of conservancy operations have been going on for 127 days. The announcement to revise the tender is against social justice and equity. The workers demand permanent jobs. They belong to the Arunthathiyar, Adi Dravidar, MBC, and BC communities. They have been working for 15 to 20 years,” said K. Barathi, president of Uzhaipor Urimai Iyakkam.

On Friday, conservancy workers will take out a rally near the Ambattur Telephone Exchange against the outsourcing of operations. The GCC had already outsourced conservancy operations in 11 zones, while operations in Royapuram and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar zones were outsourced recently, leading to the protests.