OneWorld.net (U.S.)

New Delhi 5 June: To celebrate World Environment Day a group of wastepickers along with Chintan took a cycle rally and met the Mayor of Delhi Ms. Arti Mehra. The Cycle Rally started from Bal Bhawan, Mata Sundari Marg and ended at Town Hall with the group petitioning the Mayor for intervention in securing their right over waste.

The informal waste recycling sector in Delhi consists of about 60 to 70 thousand wastepickers who segregate from 9 to 59% of the waste depending on where it is generated. Vishnu a wastepicker told the Mayor that after privatization their income has reduced by 50% and their livelihoods are suffering badly. Placards displayed on the cycles highlighted the impact of privatization of waste management in Delhi. The group discussed its report card on the impact of Privatization of waste with the Mayor highlighting the huge monthly salary of the independent consultant as per the privatization agreement and also the low target for segregation set by the agreement. The wastepickers apprised the Mayor that they segregate upto twice the percentage of waste when compared to the private company. Their contribution by doing the Municipality's duty saves Rs 6 lakh daily. Privatization of waste has lead to increase in dumping at the landfills increasing pollution as there is no incentive to segregate as per the privatization agreement. The private company DWM has to segregate only 10% of the total waste dumped in 2007 and 20% in 2013-14. In comparison the wastepickers segregate between 9 to 59% of the solid waste depending on the locality The Charter of Demands was given to the Mayor asking for formal recognition of the informal sector, their right over waste and space to segregate among other things. The Mayor said that she will discuss the matter with the ADCs and concerned officials. PRIVATIZATION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORT IN DELHI: SOME QUESTIONS

1. LESS SEGREGATION, MORE DUMPING?? Why is the segregation target only 20% in the 8th & 9th year (2013-14) of the Agreement between MCD & DWM?

The informal waste recycling sector of Delhi segregates between 9-59% of waste.

2. WHERE IS THE SPACE TO DUMP??

NCR needs 28 sq. km of landfill space till the year 2021 and 100 sq. km by 2050 at the approximate cost of Rs. 800 crores for 2021.

Source: National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB)

3. HUGE FINANCIAL COSTS VERSUS LIVELIHOODS?? Why is the consultant fees Rs. 1,22,25,000.00 per month as per the website of the Independent Consultant MSV?

Source: http://msvgroup.com/wastep.htm

About 75% of the wastepickers from the privatized zones have lost 50% of their income due to privatization in spite of the provision that the private company shall employ the informal waste collectors.

4. REPORT CARD OF PRIVATIZATION??

Incidents like the Mayor of Delhi fining the private companies for not keeping the city clean & irate residents of Karol Bagh burning the garbage dump are indicators of the poor performance of privatization.

MCD itself served final warning notice to DWM for non-performance failing which agreement will be terminated.

5. CONTRIBUTION OF THE WASTEPICKERS??

- Delhi wastepickers handle 20% of the total 8,000 metric tonnes of waste produced daily in Delhi. - This saves the municipalities Rs. 600,000 per day. - They reuse 75% of the 1800 tonnes of glass bottles thrown daily in Delhi. - Nearly 90% of the 2000 metric tonnes of waste paper is recycled every day.

For more details contact:

Anand Mishra, Program Officer, CHINTAN (9212608446) Aagney Sail, Program Officer, CHINTAN (9910270067)