Miffed over pending dues, firm threatens to stop mechanical sweeping in Mohali
Less than six months after mechanical sweeping began in the city amid much fanfare, the contractor has threatened to pull out due to non-payment of bills by the municipal corporation.
According to the firm, more than Rs 1 crore dues are outstanding with the civic body, covering wages of around 150 contractual labourers and fuel charges on hold since the project’s inauguration on July 5.
“The firm has not been paid even once by the municipal corporation. It is almost impossible to pay wages, maintain tractor trailers and pay for fuel out of our own pocket. If the payment is not paid immediately we have no option but to stop our services,” said Lalit Sharma of Global Waste Cell Private Limited, Mumbai.
According to the contract, the MC was to pay 75% of the amount within 15 days after submitting the bill. But it has been nearly six months no amount has been paid, the firm manager said.
He added that a bill of Rs 70 lakh is generated per month, noting that while Rs 9 crore was paid to the firm to purchase imported machines, another Rs 1 crore is also pending with Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
The firm began mechanical sweeping work in parts of the city with two machines in August and added another two to its fleet in November. Four sweeping machines, four tippers, 15 tractor trolleys, and other paraphernalia has deployed for sweeping in the A and B roads.
