Bengaluru: The BBMP, which has miserably failed in handling the city’s garbage, is reportedly planning to increase its Solid Waste Management cess to 15 per cent.
While currently residential, commercial, industrial and hotel establishments are paying the cess based on the extent of area they occupy, the new proposal aims to enforce a uniform 15 per cent cess on the property tax payable and earn the BBMP an additional revenue of Rs. 450 crore, say sources.
On an average, the BBMP has been spending over Rs. 500 crore on garbage, but the revenue from the cess has reportedly not been measuring up. When the matter was discussed in the BBMP, it was decided to impose an SWM cess of 15 per cent across the board, going by sources.
Besides the levy of this cess , a penalty will be imposed for lapses in segregation and disposal of waste, they reveal. The proposal has been sent to the BBMP standing committee on public health, for its approval, sources reveal.
The matter is likely to be discussed in the BBMP’s monthly meeting towards the end of December. Mr D.S. Rajashekar, president, Citizens’ Action Forum, hit out at the BBMP saying despite its collection of an SWM cess there was no improvement in garbage collection.
“Let the BBMP show improvement in collection, disposal and management of waste before enhancing the cess,” he demanded. Recalling that the BBMP had been talking about generating power from waste and composting, Mr Rajashekhar regrets that nothing has transpired so far.
