BENGALURU
JDS Youth Wing President Nikhil Kumaraswamy has criticised the Karnataka government for approving a costly plan to collect garbage in Bengaluru.
Sharing his views on X, he accused the government of wasting public money by choosing an expensive lease model instead of buying the required machines directly.
Nikhil said that 26 garbage collection machines owned by BBMP are already lying unused, yet the government has decided to lease 46 new machines for seven years at a total cost of ₹613 crore. He explained that the lease amount comes to ₹1.9 crore per machine, while buying the same machines would cost only ₹1.33 crore each.
Calling the decision “not just bad math but a complete misuse of funds,” he said expert reports had advised the government to purchase the machines. He added that the BCG team had suggested a pay-for-performance model to make the process more efficient. Instead, he said, the government selected the costliest option and presented it as good governance.
Nikhil criticised the ruling Congress government, saying that this decision shows poor planning and burdens taxpayers unnecessarily. He argued that choosing a simpler and cheaper model would have saved money and improved waste management in Bengaluru.
He also pointed out that Silicon City already struggles with garbage issues, and such costly decisions may not bring real improvements. According to him, the government must explain why cheaper purchasing options were ignored and why existing machines are not being used.
His remarks have sparked fresh political debate, with opposition leaders demanding clarity on the financial reasoning behind the decision.
