LDF-UDF row in Kochi Corporation likely to intensify over subsidy for biomedical waste collection

Despite stiff resistance from the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF), the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF)-led council of the Kochi Corporation remains firm in its decision to restrict subsidies for biomedical waste collection to eligible sections beginning next month.

The LDF had stalled the last council meeting and staged a sit-in protest outside Mayor V.K. Minimol’s chamber after she denied their demand for a discussion on the issue and declared the agenda as passed. Under the revised arrangement that took effect on August 1, the Corporation’s universal subsidy has already been reduced from ₹28 per kg to ₹8. It will be further restricted to select categories from September.

“The health standing committee has framed guidelines to identify categories eligible for subsidy, limiting it to the bedridden, mentally challenged, and the extremely poor, among others. Subsidy will be granted only against applications submitted by eligible beneficiaries,” said standing committee chairperson Seena Gokulan.

The Corporation has replaced two firms – Aakri and Suchigo – which had been engaged in biomedical waste collection until last month, with Success Projects, a subsidiary of Raidco Kerala Limited that operates two incinerators at Brahmapuram. While without subsidy it will be ₹20 per kg, under the new fee structure, subsidy remains capped at ₹8 per kg (plus GST). Commercial establishments are being charged ₹45 per kg. Previously, waste was collected at ₹40 per kg. It included a universal subsidy component of ₹28.

As the new firm is unable to honour its commitments on time, “The biomedical waste collection has been disrupted under the new arrangement. There are widespread complaints about delivery dates being repeatedly changed and less than the committed quantity being collected. The company appears to lack adequate infrastructure, including vehicles for collection, forcing the Corporation to deploy its own vehicles,” alleged V.A. Sreejith, LDF parliamentary party leader.

Ms. Gokulan acknowledged that the collection process is yet to be streamlined. “They did face a shortage of vehicles, but that will be addressed later this week, and the Corporation’s three vehicles will be withdrawn,” she said.

Henry Austin, UDF councillor and member of the health standing committee, countered that the opposition’s criticism over the deployment of Corporation vehicles was misplaced. “These vehicles were originally purchased for biomedical waste collection but had been lying unused until now,” he said.