Kalyan: Supporters of BJP MLA Sulabha Gaikwad allegedly assaulted a supervisor at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation’s (KDMC) Umbarde waste processing plant on Monday, accusing him of being under the influence of alcohol. The incident reportedly took place in the presence of Gaikwad and KDMC deputy commissioner Ramdas Kokare during an inspection that raised concerns over alleged lapses in the contractor’s operations.During the visit, Gaikwad and BJP functionaries expressed displeasure over the plant’s functioning, alleging that despite a contract worth crores of rupees, the expected work was not being carried out. They pointed to machinery that was reportedly not operational, workers without identity cards and a lack of necessary safety equipment.The inspection also raised allegations that children were involved in waste picking at the facility. Questions were also raised over whether vehicles deployed at the dumping ground had the requisite documents.Gaikwad demanded an immediate inquiry and appropriate action against the contractor. She said the contractor should be replaced if found to be failing to perform the work properly.However, the alleged assault on the supervisor raised questions about the manner in which the complaint was handled. The allegation of alcohol consumption requires verification, and any action should follow due process.Responding to the allegations, Kokare said the machinery was operational, but some machines had developed technical problems and efforts were underway to repair them. He said the absence of identity cards would be investigated and the contractor would be instructed to make them compulsory for all workers.The facility processes wet waste to produce compost, separates reusable material from dry waste and sends the remaining waste to cement factories.
