Mumbai: The BMC’s draft cleanliness and sanitation bylaws, with a user fee for garbage collection and penalties for failing to segregate waste, have come in for strong criticism. Citizen groups and political parties have argued that the draft unfairly burdens middle-class residents.
Critics also pointed out that the BMC has failed to implement an effective waste management system, rendering the new measures ineffective and unjust. Under the proposed bylaws, residences with a built-up area (BUA) of up to 50 sq mt will face a monthly fee of Rs 100, while those with a BUA of between 50 sq mt and 300 sq mt will incur a charge of Rs 500. For houses exceeding 300 sq mt, the fee will be Rs 1,000 for waste collection.
‘Party Will Launch A Public Movement Against It,’ Says Shiv Sena-UBT Leader Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said their party will oppose the user fee clause and launch a public movement against it.
Samajwadi Party MLA Raees Sheikh’s Statement
Samajwadi Party MLA Raees Sheikh said, “Mumbaikars are already burdened with high taxes. The BMC now wants to charge a user fee for garbage collection, which is its responsibility.”
Vinod Gholap from the Fight for Right Foundation said that the current waste collection infrastructure and services are not up to the mark, and a user fee would be premature until these services are made more efficient and reliable. Even though a senior civic official said that the user fee for garbage collection is mandatory as per law, Dhaval Shah from the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA) said that the civic body should consider collecting it from bulk generators and not regular citizens, who are already paying a significant amount in taxes.
Statement Of A Member of The F-North Citizens’ Federation
Nikhil Desai, a member of the F-North Citizens’ Federation, said, “Under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, waste collection and disposal are mandatory duties of the BMC.”
Raising concerns about the inefficiency of the current system, particularly the improper handling of segregated waste, he said that even though citizens make efforts to segregate dry and wet waste, the BMC’s waste compactors often mix it during collection.
The civic official the FPJ spoke to said that Bengaluru and Pune have already implemented such fees. He said that the new bylaws would empower the BMC to take action against illegal dumping of debris and impose fines. Additionally, the official mentioned that the BMC has invited suggestions and objections from the public and will hold a hearing before finalising the proposal.
