Nashik: The complaints with respect to garbage collection continue in certain parts of the city despite authorities imposing fine amounting to crores of rupees.These include irregularities in the garbage collection, segregation issues, lack of maintenance of vehicles and eateries handing the solid waste over to the domestic garbage collection vans despite there being dedicated vans for hotel waste.The vans are reportedly being used without proper repair and maintenance, waste segregation is not done and there are also timing issues as well as other complaints, due to which the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has been slapping fines on the contractors. However, it seems there is not much improvement in the system. The NMC’s reply to an RTI revealed that the civic body has imposed fines amounting to Rs3 crores in two years.According to the RTI, the maximum number of discrepancies were found in the Panchavati and New Nashik divisions, where Rs2.5 crore has been charged as fines.“From December 2016 to November 2018, we have imposed total fines of Rs2.98 crore. Out of this, Rs1.1 crore was for the Panchavati division and Rs1.43 crore for New Nashik. The fines were for various reasons like the van not reaching the various locations (check points) in time as per the time table, absence of staff, depositing salaries late in the bank, some vehicles are not in a condition yet are being used etc,” said an NMC official.Corporators had raised the issues of garbage collection during many of the NMC’s standing committee meetings and had also demanded an inquiry.“At times, we get a few minutes late while filling fuel. During such times, we may not be able to reach the check points in time. However, we try our best to maintain the scheduled timings,” said the supervisor of a garbage van.During the last meeting of the medical assistance and health committee, members had complained that waste from the hotels and restaurants were handed over to the vans that are meant to collect household waste although independent vans have been dedicated to collect solid waste from such eateries.“We have instructed the contractors. This issue is being taken care of,” said an NMC official.The official added, “Many of the irregularities have been corrected. We are keeping a watch and will streamline the rest at the earliest. We have not been able to achieve 100% waste segregation. Citizens should be more aware about their responsibilities as well. We have also issued strict instructions to the supervisors about the methods of proper waste segregation.”

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