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A GBA worker shifts garbage from a collecting vehicle to a dumping vehicle at Russell Market in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Amid mounting garbage woes in Bengaluru, the ineffective collection and management system appears to be fuelled by a tussle between the Greater Bengaluru Authority and garbage collection contractors. “One of the primary reasons for the garbage issue is the delay in finalising and issuing garbage collection tenders for nearly a decade,” said Clement Jayakumar, a member of the Mahadevapura Task Force, a civic group.

While contractors consistently point to irregularities in the tenders and corruption, the civic agency points to a deeper “mafia” and collusion among existing contractors in creating problems with the tendering process. As a result, multiple issues such as a shortage of tippers and staff, irregular availability of personnel, delays in salary payments, and vehicle breakdowns have emerged, leading to the collapse of the city’s garbage collection system.

It will be an electoral battle among the rich for the Legislative Council. Janata Dal (Secular) candidate Govindaraju has emerged as the richest candidate in fray in the election to seven Legislative Council seats with total assets of ₹173.69 crore, including movable assets worth ₹58.29 crore. He declared liabilities of ₹30.35 crore.

His rival Vinay Karthik, grandson of late Congress leader Sahukar Chennaiah, has declared assets worth ₹106.96 crore, including movable assets worth ₹49.95 crore. He has liabilities of ₹49.05 crore. Congress candidate P.V. Mohan has declared assets worth ₹75.50 lakh while BJP candidate M. Nagaraja has declared assets worth ₹15.89 crore.

With a view to facilitate the smooth migration of consumer data from Total Revenue Management (TRM) software to Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), all online services provided by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) will remain temporarily suspended for 21 days, from June 10 to 30.

Vehicle owners can c