The High Court on Tuesday restrained the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) from renewing the contracts to maintain Nirmala toilets in the City.
Recognising the lack of proper maintenance of the public urinals in the City, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar on Tuesday pulled up the BBMP and directed them to maintain their own public toilets before evincing interest in giving the contracts to their own personnel to maintain Nirmala toilets.
“You have missed the bus. If any organisation is ready to take up the maintenance, give it to them,” directed the Bench.
The petitioner, R Lakshmi Prasad, in his submission had stated that software giant, Infosys, had constructed 126 toilets in various localities and entrusted the management of the same to a private company. After the expiry of licence, the BBMP without calling for fresh tenders had handed it over to people who are either employees of BBMP or members of the Palike Employees Association.
Stating that it is against the law, the petitioner submitted that these toilets are now maintained badly and sought directions to the respondents.
During the hearing, when the BBMP submitted that only some of the employees who are on the verge of retirement, will be given the contract to maintain the toilets, the Chief Justice said, “It is someone who will construct and you are making money out of it.”
When the counsel for BBMP tried to say that it is on their land the toilets have been constructed, the Chief Justice said, “They have done what you have not done.” The Bench then questioned the petitioners why can’t they consider Sulabh International for maintenance of the toilets and directed to implead them in the petition.